Public Meeting.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 53, 4 January 1895, Page 3

Public Meeting.

—--—♦- RK PROPOSED TOLLGATE AT

TAUi^GATARA.

MV* ft. W. R"gcr j , Chairman :>f the Tcwn Board, occupied the chair, and read the no.ice convening the mec:i g. He. B>tid it was unnecessary to s-ty lfiS'tfh with regard to the object of the meeting, and he would.call on Mr McGloin, who was present, and at wlo.se suggestion the meeting w:is called, to state what he considered would bfeilest to bo done. Mr" McGloiu said when the motion was brought forward it was carried with little or no discussion. Before even the■ lelterirom the Hawera Council was read about tho bridge Mr Okcy wrote out the! motion which v, as put and carried, there bring, it might be

eaid, a block yq|e for it, viz., 7 to 2. He though t,theieast the Council could do was to give lhe fo subject free discussion, and Councillor who knew little or nothing of "this "end of the district at least might make enquiries from tho members of $Mi - iding. He was satisfied that it would 6e a great drawj back to the district, as strangers comirvg to look for land being met with a tollgate -every few miles would clear out of the district, which would mean a great loss to it. The settlers at. the north side of Opunake had assisitfd'to build the-bridges there. He understood that the Hawera Council intended sending a protest, and he thought it advisable to also send a deputation to interview the Council on the matter. The Chairman then read the following draft of a petition to be circulated for signature:— " The Chairman bnd Councillors of the Tarauaki County Council. Gentlemen, —The petition of the undersigned sheweth: That whereas it is understood your Council intends placing a toll at the Tanngatara River, we would respectfully request your reconsideration of the proposal for the following reasons: (1.) That the ratepayers in the area between the Tanngatara and Waiau Eivers, to avoid having tollgates erected in their area, rated themselves to the extent of twopence farthing in thereto raise £2OOO to be spent on the County roads within that area. (2.) That your chairman promised them at a public meeting, if the loan were carried a tollgate would not be erected j (3.) That they have every reason to believe a gate placed there would not derive sufficient revenue to pay the cast of collection. (4.) That it is not proposed to place the native land on the south side of the South Road in the market, and the natives would therefore avoid such toll.

(5.) That the cost of erecting the s gate and cottage would ba almost sufficient to pay the contribution of this Council towards the erection of a new bridge. (6.) That the erection of such a barrier would be very injurious to the settlers in the Opunuke district, as it would severely affect the trade in live stock which is at present carried on between the Wairnate district and this district. . (7.) That when the Eltbam Road and South Bead are metalled by means of loan there will be the geneial fund and Government subsidy available for such works as the one now proposed. (8.) That a gate there would be detrimental to the interests of the township of Opunake without producing any substantial increase to tbe County fund. Therefore, your petitioners trust you will not erect a gat9 as proposed, and thej will ever pray." Mr Flynn moved, That the petition as read be adopted and that it be sent round for signature, and that a deputation of three ratepnyers be appoiuted to present the same ty the Council. Seconded by Mr Stewart and carried unanimously. The following were appointed a deputation to the Couucil: Messrs G. W. Rogers, J. M. Hickey, and W. Bead. A hearty vote of thanks was proposed to Mr McGloiu for his attendance at the meeting, and the interest he has taken in the matter. Tbe usual vote of thanks to the . chair concluded the meeting.