THE WAIHI BOROUGH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11201, 23 October 1899, Page 3

THE WAIHI BOROUGH.

A public debate, under the auspices of the Waihi Literary and Debating Society, was hold in the Miners' Union Hall on October 19 to discuss the vexed question of selfgovernment for Waihi. The above society bail sent invitations to the Waihi Improvement Committee, who are urging on tjie borough movement, and to the Anti-Borough League, to publically discuss the question at their usual meeting. The Improvement Committee accepted without hesitation, but the opposing party would not face the music. Mr. F. Mahon, president of the Debating Society, occupied the chair, and called on Mr. J." C. Hammond to open the case for the Improvement Committee. Mr. Hammond gave a very abl address, answering the many argument'" which had been circulated throughoi*'- the district, against the borough movement. He showed that the County Council had shamefully neglected Waihi, .which contributed over £9000 per annum to tlio county revenue. Mr. A. H. Bengc, a member of the Debating Society, said the invitation sent to the two opposing bodies was issued with a desire to have the case fully explained before the public, who could then decide for themselves. The Improvement Committee had gone to considerable expense to procure the necessary valuation, and at a public meeting the opinion was unanimously in favour of a borough, so proceedings were gone on with, and the money sent. He thought the anti-boroughites should come forwaid and state their objections. They had waited till all this had been done, and then started ail opposition. He suggested that they put their hands in their pockets and refund, it the borough is not- granted, the money expended by the Improvement Committee. liecause the Waihi Company were against ihe movement, it was no reason why people should be afraid to speak out. (Applause., Mr. Slcvcn remarked that he would like the anti-boroughites to come forward and state their objections. Mr. R. Sims referred to the "hole and corner" meeting of the opposition party. They had made many silly and ignorant objections, called names, and made statements which were untrue. He would like to see them recoup the £50 spent by the Improvement Committee. Mr. Mahon thought that the anti-borough-ites must have a bad job at their back, because they would not face the public, Mr. hong wanted to know, how the Improvement Committee could prevent the Waihi Company from forcing men into signing a coiinter-petitior. Ho instanced the case of the petition hawked round the mine re fortnightly payments. A vote was taken at the conclusion of the debate, which was unanimously in favour of the borough. After the usual vote of thanks, the meeting closed.