THE TARANAKI ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 835, 25 July 1868, Page 3

THE TARANAKI ASSOCIATION.

About sixty mombers of this Association assembled at their usual weekly meeting on Tuesday last, in tho Taranaki Institute. Pi-.tfrrHon of the Out-gotthii's. — 'The Chairman* read a letter from Mr. Brown in answer to the resolution passed at tho special meeting (which was published in our lastiss^e), also tho following from his Honor the Superintendent, in answer to tho resolution requesting him to call a public mooting :—": — " Silt, — Iv reply to your letter of the lGili instaut, transmitting a resolution of the Taranaki Association, I have tho honor to state that I feel very deeply tho responsibility winch devolves upon the Provincial Government in times of disturbance, of seeing that the most effectual measures which circumstances admit of are taken to provide for the safety of the out-settlers, and shall be most happy to receive suggestions in a quiet way from yourself or any other of the settlers on the subject, but I think the calling of a public meeting would be injudicious, as tending to create alarm whilst intended only to provide for possible danger. Before rccciviugyour letter, I had decided iv writing to the Civil Commissioner, urging on him the propriety of putting a few trustworthy men among the friendly natives living near Okato on pay, in order that they may be wholly occupied in watching the movements and ascertaining the intentions of those natives in the neighbourhood whose inclinations aro donbtful, and may give instant notice of any indication of danger to the out-settlers. I feel no doubt that the most effectual protection the Government can give to the out-settlers will bo by keeping itself fully informed of all that goes on amongst the natives in the neighbourhood ; as yot thero is no cause for alarm, beyond the natural supposition that a disturbance once began may spread if not speedily checked. — I am, Ac, H. It. Riciijion'd, Superintendent."

Report of the Jetty Committee. — Mr. Jackso.v brought up an ad-interim report of the Jetty Committee, which was as follows : — "Your Comiuittco beg to report that they are of opiuion that if the jetty or pier can be constructed to the outhanl bnoy for the snm of £15,000 it is desirable thiit it should be proceeded with, and iv order to provide the necessary funds to pay tho interest on the money required for the purpose, it is considered advisable ilr.it a rate should bo levied on all the lands in tho town and country, and that tho public opinion r lion Id be tnknn on tho subject." — Mr. Upjoh.v said they had made a rough calculation at the meeting the other night, and all that appeared to be necessary was to raise £1,500 per annum by a tax. He had mado a calculation, and found that if the settlers would consent to have their land taxed at the rate of 3d. per acre for two years tho jetty could bo built. After two years he thought tho jetty would bo self-supporting. The Committee thought it was necessary to have the voico of tho public (before they went into the plans and specifications) whether they were willing to bo taxed for tho purpose named. If thoy were not willing tho affair might be handed ovor to a Company, and then perhaps they would have to pay for fourteen or twenty years a high rate for shipping or landing their goods. He then moved the adoption of die report. — Mr. Callaguan secouded the adoption. — Mr. Jacksox said as thero was a large number of members present, he thought it was a very favourable opportunity of bringing the matter before the public. Ail knew the difficulties they had to contend witli through the want of a jetty, but if they would not consent to be taxed they could nob have it. However, the feeling of the meeting could be taken on the present occasion, and then, if they were favourable, meeting? on the subject could be held iv the couutry districts. a All he would say was, if they could not got tlie money why the project must fall to the grou .d. — Mr. Di.vor,E was in favour of taxing sheep and oattle, as the jetty would be used in sending them to the goldfield. He thought the tax for tho prevention of scab should be devoted to tho building of a jetty. He was in favour of taxing the land also, but thought the present road rates should bo suspended for a couple of years, and the money all devoted to building a jetty. He would ask what use was it for them to bring in cattle or sheep to send away, if they had no means of putting them on board vessels ? Ho would tax land — even if it was Is. per acre — for the purpose of forming a jetty* They ought to have had a jetty years ago. If they waited till they built a harbour, then ho did not believe they or their children's children would ever see its completion. He was in favour of a stone jetty. — Mr. VV. Bayly asked if the jetty they proposed running out would be composed of stove or wood. — Mr. Jackson said that it would bo needless for them to talk of what the pier would be made of until they had settled the question of how the money was to be raised to build it ; when they wore satisfied on that point, there Wtsro any quantity of plans forthcoming for them to chose from. — Mr. W. Bayly said it rested a great deal on what kind of jotty they intended to run out, whether they succoeded in raising the money. If it was to be of stonework he believed everyone would willingly assist, because it would be durable and lasting ; but he thought it would be unwise for them to spend any money in erecting a jetty of wood. — Mr. Ui'Joiin said if they taxed the land 3d. per acre they could raise the sum required to pay the interest oa tho money to be borrowed. He did not include Patea in his calculations. He did not think the other districts would object to being taxed for the purpose of erecting a jetty. The Waitara people might, but then they wanted a bridge, and if they objected to subscribe their item to the pier, he would be for giving them no bridge, and would advocate that the £1,000 which would be devoted to that purpose, should be used for building a jetty. With regard to wood, he might say that at Portland Bay (which was a much rougher coast than this) they had a jetty which had lasted twenty years. — Mr. Hihst objected to coming to a decision on the report until the Committee had decided on the very best plan. When this was settled then they might ask for a rate. He was very glad to hear Mr. Dingle speak as he did. There was no question as to the advantages to be derived from a pier for the purpose of shipping cattle and sheep. — Mr. Ulkdhill thought they were premature in adopting this report of the Committee, and although there could be no doubt as to the utility of the jetty, still, until they had some matured plan before them, he thought it was unwise for them t > talk of taxing. — Mr. Jackson said that the report was brought np merely to ascertain the feeling of the meeting on the subject — Mr. Glrdhili, continued, that tho public would require to have confidence in the plan before they would consent to bo taxed. To agitate the building of a jetty at the present moment would be unwise, for there wasa chance of this being made the depot for tho convicts, and if the members of the Assembly thought thoy were going to make a pier or jetty the members would probably say we did not want them to assist us, and have the convicts stationed elsewhere. — Mr. Dingle said he was "an old breakwater man" himself, and preferred a pier being mado of stone — " not leather." Those that had cattle and sheep would be most bonefitted by the pier, and that was why he considered that the animals should be taxed. Ho thought that the money that was spent on roads was three-parts thrown away, aud should be diverted to the making of a jetty. — Mr. Vivian said he thought thoy should take the sense of the meeting, whether tiiey were willing to be taxed if a feasible plan was forthcoming. He understood from Mr. Kelly that there was about 80,000 nores of rateablo laud, if so, a small amount per acre would pay for what they wanted. The town would have to pay half the tax, so the ■ country people ought not to grumble. The report should be adopted, he thought, without wasting any more time. — The " Jetty Committee's ad-interim report" was thou put to the meeting, and agreed to unanimously. Petitions to the General As<>embly. — The petition praying that tho Government will at once commence to open the Mountain Road ; aud the one relating to the recent outrages at Patea, were adopted by the meeting and signed by the members present. Postponement. — The consideration of the Hon. J. C. Richmond's address to his constituents having been postponed to a future meeting, the Chairman announced that thero was no further business, and tho members then separated.