PUBLIC MEETING AT ONEHUNGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7922, 14 April 1887, Page 5

PUBLIC MEETING AT ONEHUNGA.

» A large meeting of the burgesses of Onehunga was held in the Public Hall last night. ' The Mayor (Dr. Scott) occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by describing the ; two Bills which were prepared to go before Parliament next session. The first was the Cemetery Reserves Bill. It provided that the cemetery reserve should merge into the ' recreation reserve, and empowered the < Council to pledge as security a portion of the i revenue (one-third) from such reserves to pay the interest of a loan of not more than £1000. J [a reply to a question the Mayor said that ( bo reduce the area of the Borough it would have to be disolved, which could only be ' lone by a majority of the burgesses. The 1 Bill had been prepared with a view of laying 1 she whole matter before the public. If the Council had delayed further there could be J jothing done during the next session, and ; she time, he considered, had arrived when ' ;ho matter should be settled either one way ' )r the other. Mr. liaatie considered it was ' i farce to attempt such a measure, and he would move that the draft Bill be consigned 1 ;o the waste paper basket. His reason for 1 noving such a resolution was that the 10 1 icres referred to had been given for a 1 semetery. Had the Borough not required one, the block of land would never 1 lave been given. The Legislature had 1 orbidden that a cemetery should be ' opened within the bounds of the borough, ' jut the Government had not ordered a return A the Crown grant, and he considered that * she Council was at fault in not using the and for the purpose for which it was given. 0 Mr. Vause seconded the motion. Mr. Jackion regrotted that the matter of a cemetery 1 lite had cropped up again, as it great deal of 1 jbstruction had been offered to such an 1m- c jortant matter. Many meetings had been 0 leld, but to no purpose, and they were as 1 ar forward that night as they were months ' igo. He thought that great stress ihould have been laid on Professor Brown's c eport, which was favourable, inasmuch * is the springs would not be affectcd by he cemetery when opened. He did not 3 hink Parliament would accept a Bill to •pea the reserve granted; but one might be " iresented on its merits. He thought many ' if the people were mibled when they stated 0 hat because the land was given by the r jegislatura the burials would be free. Each ' lenomination would be allotted its share, ~ lut there was a scale of charges prepared " vhich would "have to be paid to the Council. 8 f this Bill was sanctioned by Parliament P here would be no extra taxation, and he 4 lopod that, after the efforts of the Council w 0 furnish the borough with a cemetery site, ? he meeting would be unfavourable to jl ilacing the Bill in the waste-paper basket. JIr. Fleming spoke in strong terms against " he Bill going to Parliament. Ho concluded v iy stating that if the Bill went before Parament, a strong petition would be sent to u 'arliament urging them to throw it out. M Ir. Brierly said it appeared that the 'ouncil intended to press the Bill in Par- n lament, and it was to be regretted that such t; step should be taken. He thought the I" 1 majority of the burgesses should have a * oice in a matter of so much interest. Mr. " Vilson said the Council were twitted with a janing towards horse-racing, but he felt £ ompelled to denounce such an accusation. t had been said that the Council £ id not carry out the wishes of " lie leading citizens, but he considered j"' lie councillors were the leading citizens. " 'hey represented the people, and ho conidered they should have the right of saying 'hat action should be taken to supply the b orough with a cemetery. He then dealt h 'ith the accusations which were laid against ti lie Council by several burgesses, and repu- 81 iated many charges ; and concluded by say- tl ig that as the last speaker had said nothing, F e had nothing to reply to. The Rev. Mr. a liller, Messrs, Green, Sheldrick, and reraghty also addressed the meeting. On c< lie motion being put to the meeting, viz.— 'That the Bill be consigned to the waste ii aper basket," it was lost amid roars; and S lie meeting, which was certainly a rowdy ti ne, terminated. u