OPAKU RESERVE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 205, 4 October 1900, Page 2

OPAKU RESERVE.

PUBLIC MUTINO. ffl A. l'UDLic meeting was held in the Iffl Council Chamber on Wednesday even. 111 ing, to consider Button in oonnectt« ,Sl with tho Opaku Reserve. The attend- S anee was not Urge, but, from an «da- J* ; I Rational point of view, was thoroughly . - repiesentative. His Worabip the < / Mayor (Mr. E. DockriU) presided, and' ' explained tho object of the meeting] 's*i lie briefly sketched tho history of tb* ,i matter down to the recent meeting of | the delegates of the Education Board I and High School Governors, when* .1 senea of resolutions (already published) were passed. These resolutions, it considered, fully met toe case against diversion of the funds from higher education. He was pleased to see that Mr. E. M. Smith bad withdrawn his opposition to the proposals of the delegates, and he trusted that for the future Mr. Smith would support their views.

Mr. Boy: What is the latest from Mr. Smith, and what date?

The Mayor replied that he had sot the date, but in the hut letter received a few days sinoe, Mr. Smith intimated that he now understood the wishes of his constituency, and wet'' 1 prepared to do all in his power to carry. them out. Unfortunately, however, opposition was threatened from another quarter, Vietari* University, which was strongly represented in the House. The efforto of the University authorities weredireeted towards securing the reserve for themselves. His Worship thought that the resolutions referred to so fully met the case that the meeting could not do better thari endorse them, and therefore he had much pleasure in moving t " That this meeting endorses the whole of the resolutions passed at the masting, of the delegates representing the Tarenaki Education Hoard and the New Plymouth High School Board of Governors on the 21st September, tad will do its utmost to have those resolutions given effect to, and that this resolution be sent to the Right Hen. the Premier, the Hon. the Nflßtafcr Education, and the district, requesting port to those resolutions." nferehai, said the Mayor, already been A meeting in another part of the district, and there was to be one at Stratford on Thursday. He had no doubt that a uniform front would be ""■"tflinfrt throughout the district.

Mr. W. A. Oollis, in seconding the resolution, expressed his surprise at the vacillating conduct of Mr. £. 11, Smith, whom it was hoped would now use his best endeavours to secure the benefits of higher education for to* children of this district, by devoting te> its rightful use the endowment of tb* roserve. The Mayor, in putting the motion to the meeting, said it was satisfactory to know that the Minister had assured the people of this district that the endowment should not be diverted from them, Too motion was then carried aunt. niously.

Mr. Roy stated that then was not much fear as far as the Minister wa# concerned that the reserve would be lost to Taranaki, as on twooooMiooi ho distinctly stated that it belonged to and should be retained for the district. Mr. MaoDiarmid said that before the meeting separated he considered. that they should recognise the invaluable work done by Mr. AUsworth, who bad watched the interests of the dietrick most vigilanth/, had combatted tho determined attempts to alieaate the Heserve, and had checkmated his opponents at ovary turn. Messrs. Maekay, Bridge, Roy, and others had •»-*»* also done good service, but he thought those present weuld be wanting ia gratitude to Mr. AUsworth if they did 1 not pass a hearty vote of thanks to kink for the services he had rendered. Mr. Mc Allum cordially seconded the ~* motion, and heartily endorsed Mr. MacDiarraid's remarks. The motion was carried with took. mation. T"*^

Mr.AJlnrwth thanked the meettht for the compliment, which, he aaidju highly valued, and the meeting Urminated with the usual thanks to tha Chairman.