PUBLIC MEETING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 944, 7 November 1879, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

The public meeting convened by Mr Carlaw Smith, secretary to the Progress Committee, for the purpose of taking steps to memorialize the Government to vest the administration of Crown Lands m the local bodies, and also to pass a resolution m support of the action of Mr McDonald, M.H.R., m carrying the Native Lawsuits Bill, was numerously attended. On the motion of Captain Tucker, Mr John Towniey was voted to the Chair, and opened the proceedings by remarking that nothing could be gained without continuous exertions on the part of the public, and by resolutions at public meetings. The Borough Council had for three years been applying for some deeds for reserves which they were promised, and had not yet received them, although letters on the subject had been sent monthly. • They were, ; however, nearer attaining that object than they were some time ago. Mr Carlaw Smith said the meeting had been called at the request of the Progress Committee, and the object was to strengthen the hands of their member, and forward to him any of their local wants, so that. he might take action m their interests. It had been thrown m their face by the late member that they were careless and indifferent about public matters, and if it was not worth our while to attend to these matters it was not worth his. As to their new member he would not have that complaint to make against them. Since the House had met Mr McDonald had taken a lively interest m all that concerned this district, and had introduced one pv two schemes for the benefit of this place. The resolution he had to propose was with reference to the vesting of the Waste Lands of the Crown m local bodies. At present they were vested m the Auckland Waste Lands Board, an irresponsible body of men that cared not for Poverty Bay. He instanced the manner m which the Patutahi lands had been dealt with by the Board to the prejudice of this district. He had a telegram from Mr MoDonald requesting to have a public meeting here to carry a set of resolutions m order to bring some pressure to bear on the Government and to urge upen them the necessity of taking the administration out of the hands of the Waste Lands Board, and that Board had altogether ignored them m dealing with these lands, and it was scandalous that the proceeds of these lands should be taken up to Auckland. One block of land here had been handed over by them to a gentleman who had a seat m the House, without anyone m Poverty Bay knowing anything abont it. If the lands were m the hands of the Council they could deal with them m whatever manner they considered was most advantageous to the district. He instanced how at the late sale not more than one bid could be obtained for the sections at the upset price, and how they had put the richest portions into the market first m order to reap the benefit of their labor m enhancing the value of the other seotions. He would move — "That m the opinion of the meeting, the Waste Lands of the Crown and the control thereof should be vested m local bodies, and that as regards Poverty Bay gross (injustice is done to us by handing the absolute control of these lands to the Auckland Waste Lands Board, who have invariably dealt with them to the prejudice of this district, and without the slightest consideration to our requirements." Mr E. ff. Ward seconded the resolu* tion, briefly saying that it was not a matter requiring much discussion as the necessity of such a change was generally admitted by all of them. Mr Duncan McKay advocated the lowering of the upset price of land from that now prevailing at £1. per acre, and full authority of the Council to dispose of the lands at any price they would fetch, or even to give it away under the Homestead Act, so as to facilitate the settlement of the country. It was only the other day they had m America thrown open 8,000,000 acres for settlement. Mr Tucker was m favor of the local bodies having full control over the Waste Lands, and to dispose of them m any way they chose — for cash, on deferred payment, or give them away, but he was afraid that by the Act the land could not be sold for less than £1 per acre, and the administration of these lands would be subject to the existing laws. Mr Villees d'd not think that the meeting could alter any Act of Parliament. Mr Tucker : That is what will have to be done. Mr Webb said it was a play upon words to say that the Waste Lands should be vested m the local bodies. They were vested always m the Crown, but the administration should be placed m the hands of the local bodies. Its administration should be taken from the hands of the Auckland clique — from Queen Street to Poverty Bay. He was sorry they had not organised their forces to show what earnestness there was on the subject. He then spoke at great length m support of the resolution. On the resolution being put it was carried unanimously. The Chairman said the next matter they had to consider was one of importance. This had been put before the Hon. J. Sheehan, who admitted it was entitled to consideration, and promised a Lands Court for the settlement and subdivision of titles, and that a Judge Should be appointed, but the promise had not been kept. He would also refer to another matter. They wondered often where the money goes to from the Treasury. It did not come here, that was certain. They had been praying for pecuniary assistance up to now, and got nothing. He had put his hands on a number of Hansard, and found from tne Hon. Mr. Bryce's statement that the Thames County had received grants for roads m Native Districts a sum amounting to £12,500, and other counties a lesser amount. They had received some, but nothing m proportion to the Thames County. He did not complain of the Thames getting this, but this county must have its share also. Mr. Dickson said he only wished they had always men like Sheehan and Grey to represent them. It only needed action on our part to get what we pressed for. So far as public men and bodies were concerned here, they were scooted down by a lot of nincompoops. The

anything, they had done for the NflMJi Island. He was of opinion that oir George Grey and his Government and any man who had voted for them had done their duty to the working man. Mr. Duncan McKay, m proposing the second resolution, said they wanted public meetings often to back their member, and he wanted their help to support him. There were 160,000 acres of land with rotten titles, and some legislation was required. He asked was the present state of things going on for ever. He was interested though not ia the same predicament as others. Something, they all admitted was required to be done to fix these titles once for all. The present Bill was not perfect, but it was something towards a final settlement of the matter. He moved "That this meeting, considering it highly desirable that there should be special legislation m order to arrive at a speedy settlement of disputes as to land titles m this district, approves of the general principles and objects of the Native Law baits BiU, as introduced to the House by Mr. McDonald, and urge upon him the necessity of pushing the Bill forward with certain amendments m order that it become law as speedily as possible." Mr. E. ff. Ward, jun., admitted the necessity of legislation m this matter, though he did not agree with the whole of the Bill. He entered into an explanation of the natnre of joint tenancy and tenancy m common, and urged that the Bill should give ample powers for the? purpose of subdivision. As it was it waa impossible to make a partition of any interest. The Makauri Blook was an instance of this. All the valuable low-lying lands were placed m a similar position. The Government did not intend to introduce a Native Lands Act during this session. The present measure was a start. Iv seconding the proposition he would tell them that he did not entirely agree with the Bill, and he thought it would be cut to pieces m the House, but they should Bink party feeling to support their member m the House whether the measure was a Government one or not. Mr Matthewson, m seconding the resolution, said there should be no reason for complaint from their member at not receiving their support. The Bill was m oommittee to-day, and a resolution of this meeting would strengthen Mr. McDonald's hands. There was no doubt the Bill would be approved of, and though any suggest, ions might now be too late, he was sure that the 88 men m Parliament would Bee justice done to both Europeans and Natives. He alluded to a telegram received by him from Mr. McDonald, to the effect that the Evening Post, Wellington, had published a telegram stating that the settlers were averse to the measure, and m consequence of introducing it he would be called upon to resign. Mr. Brassey then addressed the meeting, taking the clauses seriatim, and giving the suggestions and modifications thereon approved of by the Oommittee appointed at the Makaraka meeting. The Bill, as it was, was a rotten Bill, unfit and unsuitable to the district. He certainly approved of the object} stated m the preamble. His suggestions were that three inde. pendent judges should be appointed. He objected to the one judge and the assessors, and the Government should not make rules, but that the jrdges apppointed approve of their own rules. After Messrs. Harris and Tuokbr spoke to the resolution it was put and carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.