Hokonui.

Southland Times, Issue 90124, 25 January 1886, Page 2

Hokonui.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Mr C. Cowan, M.H. E., addressed a public meeting in the Bast Foiest Hill schoolhouse on Wednesday evening, the 20th inst. Mr Thomas Paterson having been voted to the chair, stated that the object of the meeting was to hear from our representative what action had been taken by him with reference to obtaining Government aid towards developing the coal resources of the district, and also to discuss other matters of local importance. _Mr Oowan, who 'on rising was greeted with the liveliest enthusiasm, explainod that as a result of urging the claims of the district upon the Government, he had succeeded in obtaining from the Minister of Mines, a vote of L 250 to be expended In prospecting or boring for coal in the Forest Hill district. " ;

A verj elaborate geological survey map, indicating the Hoe of country . to be operated upon, had been forwarded by Dr Hector and waa submitted to the meeting as well -as an haustive report, dating as far back aa 1869, and treating upon the coal indications an<l outcrops in the Hokonal district. Toe report suggested either of the points marked 1, 2, and 3 on tho map as. the place were operations should be com-, menced ; and Mr Cowan said it was for the meeting to decide which "of the" three; points would be the most advantageous and likely to produce "the desired iesolt. With a desire to give the meeting every I opportunity of selecting the locality indicated on the geologioal map; Mr dowse had had a topographical map of ■■jite dulfjfit prtijpared by Mf h §po?e,

Chief Surveyor. After inspecting the maps, a very animated diKCOssion followed, when it was proposed and seconded that No. 3 be the point selected. An amendment in favour of No. 2 was followed by a further amendment that a point equi-distant between the two points be selected, which latter; on being put to the meeting was carried by a large majoirityr yw '-: V v? " .' .-"*••**: ■* 9C * l >* J *

Mr Donald Cameron asked what action had been taken by" Mr "Cowan towards making the E-ist Forest Hi]l tramway of some use ..to the country and public ? Id reply, Mr Cewao stated that'LlToO had been placed upon the estimates for converting the tram way into a light branch railway, and that, he would do bis utmost to have the money expended, -goas^ to make the t line of permanent asei to ' ihe Bottlers. : •' :'■'■■ /g .Mr Cameron also urged the iecesaityifor a. polling booth being declared at Hok'onui. „ .. : ". r -._- - '. ■• . ; ib The Chairman brought several important points. under t the~notice of the? member, notably a monstrous defect in our criminal law with to cattle arid sheep stealing, in which cases there appears to be no provision for the police to prosecute, apd the of the offender rests solely with the sufferer or complainant, who, in the event of being defeated, runs the additional risk cf being sued for damages. v ;, ,:":-■ . 5

After the coat to the State of secondary education and several matters of Jess importance had been discussed, Mr Butler, in a very appropriate address, proposed a vote of thanks and eni ire confidence in Mr Cowan. This was seconded by the cuairman and unanimously, and enthusiastically carried by the meeting. Mr Cowan; replying, thanked the meeting for its expression of confidence, and promised in the future, as he had in the past, to do hiabest to advance the interest of the colony in general and his constituency in particular, A cordial vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting, which wps alarge add fairly representative one, to B close.