OPOTIKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6571, 8 December 1882, Page 6

OPOTIKI.

As* important meeting of ratepayers was held in the Town Hall oa Saturday atturnoon, 2nd December, Dr. Alexander .Reid in tlie chair. The first business was the of the establishment of a public poimil in the district. After considerable discussion the chairman put the vote to the meeting, when it was found to be almost unanimous 111 favour of the pound. This will make a serious difference to small landowners, who have for the last fifteen ye.-ir.s depended upon the open run and the public streets for depasturing their cattle ; but the step was a necessary one in many respects, and will be a yreat protection t» grain producers, who have hitherto been heavy losers from trespass and fence breaking. The second business brought forward was to empower the Highway Board to borrow on the security of the rates for the purpose of fencing in a poruon of the proposed road, Opotiki to Tauranga. The want of this fencing had, it appears, beeu the cause of preventing a large portion of this road, which passes through private property, being conveyed gratuitiously to the Government, and failing this trausfer the Government withheld the grant of £500 previously promised towards this road. A nuinberof ratepayers expressed their opinions, aud finally it was carried with scarcely any opposition, that the Highway Board be empowered to borrow a sum not exceeding £100 for the purpose stated. "*Mr. H. G. Walmsley's new ketch Opotiki is now reidy for sea, and proceeds to Auckland direct on the first favourable wind, with a cargo of produce. Considerable damage has been done to the crops here by an insect called the wire worm. Whole paddocks of maize have been destroyed, and a partial failure of the crop is feared. The stewards of the race committee are working up a splendid programme, and the Opotiki annual races promise to be a thorough success, very handsome prizes being offered. —[Own Correspondent, December 4.J