Public Meeting at Mangatainoka.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 157, 4 June 1894, Page 3

Public Meeting at Mangatainoka.

A meeting was held in Benzie's room* on Friday evening last. Mr P. .1. Murphy was voted to the chair. He opened the meeting in a m at little speech, and stated that the meeting had been convener! for the purple of disc.inning matters pertain mg to the political requirements of this district. He remarked that he thought the bridge at Hull's crossing was the Knit item for consideration ; secondly, th\t portion of the Nortl Tiraumea road from Mr Wagstaff’s brewery leading to the Maagai amarama bridge now being

ereoted . thirdly, a post, telegraph and money order office was much needed hers fourthly, a policeman was much needed in the township. These warn matters which need immediate attention. He had no doubt there wera other things

required, but he would leave it to those present to bring anything they might i kaow of before the meeting. He con eluded his remarks by stating that he ' believed the meeting was the best repre- j tentative meeting he hsd seen in the die grid applause l . lie also stalod that Mr

C. Hall, M.H.R., was present by invitation, and would listen to any wants that might b 6 placed before him. Mr Hall was most enthusiastically received. Mr G. H. Kemper stated that the Maagarnmaramn overflow needed consideration, as only a part of a good and important work had been done, and unless it was completed it would be a disgrace to the ruling power. He stated that £4OO had been apportioned for this work ; as yet there had only been £2OO of this amount spent, and until the remainder had been used the settlers would have to suffer from Hoods (applause). Mr J. H. Walker thought that the Tiraumea bridge was of the greatest importance to the whole district; next to that, the completion of that portion of road leading from Mr H. WagatafTs brewery to the Mangavamaruma stream. These were, he considered, works belonging to the Government, as only natives and the Government owned the lands adjoining to that portion of the North Tiraumea road. He fully approved of the opiniou expressed hitherto by the Chairman in not imposing a loan upon the four or five settlers along that road for the benefit of the community at large. He had of times seen school children compelled to walk two miles round the gravelled road owing to half a mile or less of road being utterly impassable (Voices: Quite correct). Mr A. Burrell fully endorsed the remarks of the last speaker. For the last winter his wife was not able to get out to the Main road for fully three months, and by all appearances it was going te be as bad, if not worse, this winter, notwithstanding its being the main road to all the back settlements. He himself would be willing to pay his portion of the burden likely to be imposed, if he saw the work was done.

Mr McCrae hoped that Mr Hall would intercede on behalf of village settlers and ascertain why the Hon. Mr McKenzie had declined to grant the lease in perpetuity to some and yet grant the same to others. He had heard it remarked that the small holdings would soon he sold to large liolders. As far as he himself was concerned he feared nothing of the kind, as he thought the village settlers would put a fanoy price upon their holdings which would debar that sort of this£ (Laughter and voice : I believe you). Mr T. J. James wished to know if anyone had received the change of tenure, as he had heard such was the case, but had not been able to see the lease so changed. He had asked Mr Kemper to show him his lease, but was not allowed to see it.

Mr Kemper explained that he had not then received his lease, but had since received it. Several others stated they also had their leases returned under the new lease in perpetuity. This was sufficient proof. Mr Brougham spoke strongly on the necessity for a post, telegraph and money order office. He also gave excellent reasons for such office (applause). Mr C. Hall wished the meeting to allow him to deal with the many questions already put before him, as he thought if he succeeded in getting one half of what was asked for they would have no cause to complain, as so many districts were craving after the few loaves and fishes which were to be uad. After fully dealing with all matters put before him he promised to use his persuasive powers with the Ministry (applause). Very good advice was given on several important matters, which it is to be hoped will be acted upon. Mr R. Duffie spoke on behalf of the Coonoor settlors anti wished the member to intercede on their behalf in regard to the Makairo road, and endeavour to have the said road made wide enough for dray traffic. He also spoke strongly in favor of the Tiraumea bridge at Hull’s crossing. After all the former requirements had been properly dealt with, several other settler* spoke on various matters, after which Mr Kemper rose and started to complain about the meeting not being advertised. but was soon satisfied when Mr J. H. Walker rose and explained that he had convened this meeting and felt proud to find it the most successful representative meeting ever held in Mangatainoka. He di«l not believe in advertising this meeting, as it would not benefit the district by bringing all the riff-raff of the district here. What lie meant by the riff-raff was simply the Pahiatua folks, who had always shown illwill towards this place (roars of laughter). It was then resolved that owing to the fact of this town and district having no justices of the peace, that this meeting wish Mr C. Hall, M.H.R., to recommend to the Minister of Justice for appointment the following gentlemen—Messrs P. J. Murphy. A. Barrell, and G. H. Kemper. Carried by acclamation. A committee was formed consisting of the following gentlemen—Messrs Barrell, Kemper, and T. J. James, to make enquiries re reserves. Mr Hall was also asked to assist in obtaining the same. Mr P. J. Murphy moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr C. Hall for his presence, thus enabling the settlers to place matters before him. Mr Hall briefly responded. A vote of thanks to the chair was carried bv acclamation.

Thus ended the most cordial meeting held in this district. About 00 settlers were present, some of whom were from the Tiraumea and Coonoor.