A REPUDIATED PROMISE,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13493, 21 May 1907, Page 6

A REPUDIATED PROMISE,

" A WHANGAREI GRIEVANCE. [by telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] Whangabei, Monday. At the monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce a committee of inquiry reported| on the proposal .to hold an exhibition in Whangarei, stating that the general feeling of residents appeared to be against the proposal as premature. It was decided, in view of this report, to take no further action. It was reported that the local agricultural society had decided not to go on with' the proposed county exhibit at the Auckland Winter Show, the paucity of exhibits being given as the chief cause of the decision. Mr. L. Hanlon mentioned that lie had se'curcd a number of exhibits, and the meeting resolved to ask the secretary, of the Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Asso- 1 ciation to look after any exhibits sent from here by private persons. The chairman detailed an interview which he had had with the Hon. J. A. Millar while the Minister was in Whangarei, with reference to the Government's offer to pay £300 as half the cost of a chiming clock for the proposed new post office. He pointed out to the Minister that the Government had gone back on its word, having recently repudiated the promise, although. Whangarei willingly offered to pay the other.half of the cost. Sir, Millar had stated that the Government intended to economise, and would not expend anything on elaboration or ornamentation, while roads, bridges, and other necessary works needed attention. During the discussion which followed, much adverse criticism was made of the treatment Whangarei had been subjected to. Finally, itwas arranged that the chairman and secretary should write a" letter to - the Department on the subject. Mr. Crane mentioned the fact that a local stockowner was charged sixpence per head for a mob of 540 sheep; which hatd been landed at the railway wharf and simply driven across the line on to the land opposite. The injustice of the exorbitant. charge was freely commented on. It was decided to send a letter of protest and remonstrance to the Railway Department. It was agreed to hold Empire Day as a public holiday in place of the Prince of Wales' birthday. After correspondence from the Auckland Railway League was read, it . was resolved to appoint Mr. J. D. McKenzie as the Chamber's representative. , A committee, consisting of Messrs. Crane, Steadman, and the secretary, was appointed to arrange for the circulation of . petitions to be sent to the House of Representatives, urging the speedy completion of the Hukerenui-Kawakawa railway gap, which is now of comparatively small i-extent.