PUBLIC MEETING AT HAMUA

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 577, 1 December 1897, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT HAMUA

Local Requirements. From our own Correspondent. The “power of the press” was exemplified on Saturday night, when, thanks in a measure to thi3 disreputable scribbler, a large and representative meeting assembled to discuss the matters to which I alluded in my last. Mr Tuckwell occupied the chair. The meeting, after dealing at some length with the eating and drinking capacity of Ministers and members of Parliament, set up a committee to make all necessary arrangements for suitably entertaining the visiting members at lunch, and then seizing the opportunity of setting forth the requirements of the district when the good things have caused our worthy politicians to feel kindly disposed towards men. The committee entrusted with the task consists of Messrs Tuckwell, Twentyman, R. Smith, Nireaha, and Cavanagh, and it is to be hoped they will he able to give a good account of their stewardship. While the deputation have the opportunity I would point out another matter which is as essential to tbs welfare of liamua as is the bridge, that is the breaking up of the 5000 acres of Native Land between Hamua and Hukanui. It is impossible for mo to over-estimate the value of this property for small settlement. It is partly in bush and partly cleared, and the greater portion is held at present by one man who manages to find employment for one boy the year round. Certainly there is a sawmill at work on the bush, hut this cannot last more than two years at the outside, when the land may pos ibly go to a man who bus neither the means nor the inclination to gather the full fruits from the soil. Wore the property sub-divided I fool confident that tlio worst 100 acres would be quite capable of supporting a family comfortably, nor would it bo 21 hours in tho market without applicants. Should this desirable undertaking eventuate it would prove an inestimable boon to the district.