MR O'HALLORAN AT THE EAST OXFORD HALL.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 5 May 1894, Page 3

MR O'HALLORAN AT THE EAST OXFORD HALL.

Mr O'Halloran informed us that he was but a simple shepherd and for years spent a solitary life in the back hills. Such an isolated life as we chance to know that he led has prepared many a good man for the right of admission to a Lunatic Asylum ; but in his case the result has been exactly the reverse, instead of becoming afflicted with chronic melancholia as 1 most men do who are for a long time removed from social influences, he embraced the opportunities afforded by his lonely leisure to cultivate his mind and fit him for the battle of life and those who had the pleasure of hearing him the other night will agree with us, that he has succeeded, not only in establishing for himself an independent position as a citizen, but has qualified himself to respond to the request of a large number of requisitionists who are sensible to his great capacities, of securing them in a public position. We are aware that a good deal of pressure had to be brought upon him to induce him to come out of his shell, but now that the crust is broken, and if he can spare the time from his own private business, we can certainly prophecy for him a very useful, if not a very brilliant future. Mr Dobson has worked hard and sincerely in promoting what he thought the interest of the District for the procuration of a Water supply for a long time and* we know that Public opinions is very capricious and we fear that the public mind during the present agitation is becoming so warped, that Mr Dobson's long and valuable services maybe forgotten. We must not forget that he has spent both time and money (both his own) in the public service and has also for these last three years borne grave responsibilities. If he has so far been unsuccessful, that is no l'eason why we should be so ungrateful* as to forget his past services in otr behalf. Mr O'Halloran commenced by expressing grave doubts of the permanancy of the Rock ford intake and quoting John Mann's statement that the entrance has been at times blocked with shiugle, and lie thought that the vertical shingle terraces further along the proposed site were in imminent danger of being destroyed by the action of the river and his ideas were amply verified by the .various reports of engineers, that were already in circulation. He considered the Board had made grave mistakes iu pledging the Credit of the ratepayers under the insufficent powers, which by their own showing they knew that they possessed. In one hand they held the Act which they admitted was unworkable and the other they held out to receive money for the purpose of spending on works which to say the least were by law unauthorised. Then again he objected to the unpublicity of the "Board's proceedings he thought that the ratepayers affected when credit had been pledged should be made fully aware of the details of expenditure and he should take care that if elected, the people should be fully furnished with information in our Local paper. As to the statement, mentioned by Mr Dobson that the employees and contractors of the Board had not been paid, he was not responsible for that, but he supposed somebody was, he however felt very much giieved to hear the statement and promised if elected he would use his best endeavours to remedy, what every man must admit was a very great injustice. It was reported that he opposed the Rock ford scheme, whereas he did nothing of the kind. What he wanted was that the Government should request the Engineer in Chief to visit and report upon the fcheme and if his report was favorable to its prosecution he should feel bound by honesty and common sense to accept his .. verdict, , but whilst a doubf remained and doubts had been expressed in pienty both by iaymen and professional 1 men, he' would not consent to spend any more money till those doubts \vere eet at rest. He considered the Board's official arrange-

ments were extravagant and the locality of the head office unsuitable. We had the head works at Oxford and the scheme itself was essentially an Oxford work then why in the name of common sense go to the tail end for brains, he had always understood that brains existed at the other end. Mr O'Halloran dwelt for some time upon the capricious nature of our river streams showing that he had gained a good deal of knowledge, by careful observation during his Shepherd life. He quite felt the force of the old poem:! — " A pebble in the streamlet scant has . turned The course of many a river, A dewdrop on the baby plant has warped The giant stem for ever. Mr Dobson asked a number of veiy important questions, which were dealt with in a remarkably intelligent manner by Mr O'Halloran from a layman's point of view he admitted that he was not an engineer and should always feel bound to accept their opinions at their proper value. Mr O'Halloran received a good deal of applause throughout his address and Mr Dobson cannot complain of neglect in this particular and we are very glad it was so as it would not be good taste for the ratepayers to give the cold shoulder to a gentleman who has served them so faithfully at his own expense. On the motion of Mr J Weld Mr O'Halloran was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence and in replying Mr O'Halloran complimented the Chairman Mr G. A. White on the courtious manner in which he had discharged his duties and elicited an unanimous vote of thanks. We fully endorse Mr O'Halloran's remarks re — " unnecessary Office expenses — Keeping two offices, entails a considerabls amount of inconvenience, all books references or otherwise should be in one office with plans specifications correspondence &c. We must have a paid Officer in Oxford with Office accommodation, then why keep Office at Rangiora? by far the largest number of ratepayers reside in the Oxford Riding, and it is as convenient for the members to attend meeting at Oxford as any other part of the district, and our surveyors expenses and time will be saved, v,hich in itself is an expensive item. E.D.