PUBLIC MEETING AT HUKERENUI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9075, 8 June 1888, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT HUKERENUI.

A large and influential meeting was held at the residence of Mr. Gray on Saturday, the 19th May, including four of the leading storekeepers in the district. Mr. Lambert was voted to the chair; and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the secretary read a letter from Mr. Hobbs, acknowledging the receipt of petition re Puhipuhi, also from the same gentleman in respect to the Kawakawa-Whangarei Road. A letter from Mr. Theo. Cooper, solicitor, containing legal opinion on the validity of the licenses issued to homestead and village settlers last year, was then considered. It appears that the licenses in question were illegally issued in the first instance, and consequently can be cancelled at any time. The following extract from the letter will show the conclusion which Mr. Cooper arrives at: —" Upon the whole matter, I have therefore to advise you—l. That the Government have the right to order you to refrain from digging gum m the Puhipuhi Forest. 2. That the license not having oeen issued by any person authorised by the Government to do so, the Government are not liable legally to pay compensation for their refusal to allow you to act thereunder. 3. That no action will lie against Mr. Tole, he being personally protected under the statute." Mr. Hurst then read a telegram from Mr. Hobbs, notifying that the Puliipuhi Bush would be open to gumdiggers immediately, an intimation which was received with the greatest enthusiasm, and, on the motion of Mr. McGinley, seconded by Mr. Mitchell, a hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr. Hobbs for his promptitude in relation to *his importan, matter.

The chairman then ormed the meeting as to what had been done respecting school matters, and the interview which had taken place between the inspector and the delegates appointed at the last meeting. The settlers have communicated with the Education Board on the subject of forming a school committee, and are anxiously expecting a reply. It was then proposed by Mr. Cowen, and seconded by Mr. Wm. Callaghan, " That an association be formed for the purpose of looking after the requirements of the district, and that social gatherings should be held in connection with the same, the association to be known as the Hukerenui and Motatau Mutual Improvement and Progress Association." Carried new. con. Proposed by Mr. Gray, seconded by Mr. Hurst, That a vigilance committee be formed." Carried. Proposed by Mr. Callaghan, seconded by Mr. Black, " That the committee should consist of seven members, and that four should form, a quorum." Carried. The following gentlemen were then duly elected to form a Vigilance Committee : — Messrs. Lambert. Black, Cowen, Horno, Gray, Hurst, ana McGinley. Mr. Hurst moved, " That Mr. Hobbs having been unsuccessful with his Railway Bill, should be requested to try and obtain a sum of money for roads and bridges in this district." Mr. Wm. Callaghan, in seconding this motion, pointed out that a sum of £70,000 had been voted for the village settlement scheme, that only £6000 had been spent, and that, in consideration of the large number of village settlers in this district, he was of opinion that at least £10,000 should be spent here. Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting. The first meeting of the vigilance committee was held at Mr. Black s residence on Saturday, the 20th May, at 7 p.m., five members being present. Mr. Black was elected chairman, and Mr, Lambert secretary. The draft of a letter to Mr. Hobbs, re roads and bridges, was read, and a telegram directed to be sent at once in reference to a Maori invasion of the Puhipuhi Bush, for the purpose of gumdigging. It is reported that the Maoris are hastening from Waikato and other places in large numbers, and unless prompt measures are taken to dispel their illusion that the bush is to be open for their benefit, ! some awkward complications may arise. After the transaction of some minor business, the meeting adjourned.—[Own Correspondent,)