MEETING OF SETTLERS AT HUKERENUI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9378, 30 May 1889, Page 6

MEETING OF SETTLERS AT HUKERENUI.

A special meeting of settlers was held at Mr. Gray's house, on Saturday, the May. The maiu object of the meeting was to receive the resignation of the chairman, or to confirm him in office The minutes of the previous meeting being read and confirmed, Mr. Lambert vacated the chair, and Mr. William Callaghan was appointed chairman. It was then moved by Mr. Co wen and seconded by Mr. Hirst, "That Mr. Lambert is a fit person to occupy the position of chairman of these meetings, and that he be confirmed in office." Mr. McGinlev then moved the following amendment, "That we, as settlers in Hukerenui North and South, have no confidence in Mr. J. R. Lambert as chairman, believing that he has done more "harm than good to the district, and that he has neither the position nor the ability to warrant him in the ridiculous attitude of importance which he attempts to assume in the eyes of Government officials." Seconded by Mr. Johnson. Mr. McGinley. in speaking to the amendment, succeeded amidst frequent interruptions in bringing several charges of a somewhat startling character against Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Johnson supported him. Mr. Home also spoke, giving some reasons for his change of opinion as to the fitness of Mr. Lambert as chairman. Mr. Lambert at length replied to the charges brought against him. His line of defence was principally a denial of the statements, and an assertion that no one could point out a wrong done by him m his public capacity. In answer to a charge of inducing a native named Howe to erect a dwclfinghouse for him, tinder the representation that he was a village settler, and would pay for the work done on receipt of an advance from Mr. Kavanagh, the village steward, his reply was that he had not represented himself as a village settler, but that, being a tenant of the Crown, he fully expected an advance on all improvements equally with a village settler. Now, if Mr. Lambert was not known to be well up in all matters appertaining to the tenure of land, so much so that he is frequently consulted by persons coming into the district for the purpose of settling (he informed the meeting that there were no fewer than twelve at his house for that purpose on one day last week), this reply to the charge might be received as not unlikely, but, under the circumstances, in my opinion, a large grain of salt will have to be added. Messrs. Cowen, Rowley, Mitchell, Hutchinson, Gray, Hirst, and others took part in the discussion, and the general opinion was to the effect that they considered the charges brought against Mr. Lambert of a trivial character, and that so long as he was willing to devote his time to the interests of the district, they were indifferent to his private actions. On the amendment being put to the meeting, eight were found to be for it and ten for the motion. Mr. Lambert then resumed the chair by a majority of two. Mr Hutchinson spoke at some length in regard to the road inspector and the village steward. He considered that they could be dispensed with, as there was a ranger, who, being also a surveyor, could manage the small amount of work necessary to he done, and so save a considerable sum annually. Mr. Rowley had a grievance concerning the price paid to him by the village steward for a dwelling house lately erected. The house had cost him £35 without his own labour, and Mr. Kavanagh would only allow him £13 as an advance, minus £5 deducted for rent, Mr. Rowley is in communication with Mr. Hobbs on the subject, and wishes a valuation of the house to be sent; it was, therefore, proposed by Mr. Cowen, and seconded by Mr. Hirst, " That Messrs. Gray and Home be appointed, in conjunction with a carpenter, to value Mr. Rowley's house." Carried nern. con. Proposed by Mr. Gray, seconded by Mr. Hirst, " That Mr. Hobbs be asked to come to the district and address his constituents before the assembling of Parliament" Carried item, con. Mr. Mitchell handed in a letter to Mr. Hobbs, which he bad written re payment of advance on fencing and grassing open lands, which was received, the secretary of the • Vigilance Committee undertaking to have it , forwarded in due course. Mr. Cowen then moved that the meeting adjourn till this night month, and this being all the business the meeting terminated.—[Own Correspondent, May 20.]