INGLEWOOD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3138, 3 June 1879, Page 3

INGLEWOOD.

[FROM OUR OWX CORItGSPOMDE.Vr.] June 2, 1879 — On Saturday evening a meeting was held at our Government Buildings, to take preliminary steps in the formation of a rifle corps. It was a very weh evening 1 , but nevertheless 70 or more persons attended. Mr. H. Brown presided, and put before the meeting in a succinct and clear mauner, the necessity whi.jh existed for the proposed organisation, remarking 1 upon the better position which this neighborhood wonld be in case of an attack upon it being- made, if all our townsmen and settlers joined the corps, and theroby obtain arms aud ammunition from the Government, together with the advantage* o( drill and combination. Some discussion then ensued as to the liabilities persons incurred by joining, the uniform, the distance fro:n the head-quarters of the corps, within which a volunteer could be required to [ act, number of attendances required of him for drill, and one or two other similar matters of detail all of which seemed to be satisfactorily explained and answered by the chairman. A committee was then formed consisting of Messrs. H. Brown, VV. Carter, It. Stevens, Matthews, McLaren, and i Peach. The necessary requisition was ! then drawn ap for signature, and re-

qnesting enrolment of tho corpd when 56 of those present at onco affixed their names as volunteers. The meeting was altogether a succors, thcu^h I was informed there were itusiy unable to attend, who had promise 1 to sis^u subsequently. In fact it seems the opinion of some of the oldest inhabitants that we shall muster 200. After this the New Plymouth men will have to get up a new corps, and as the advertising boards say "roll np " smartly or like the celebrated cat that licked his masters boots, wo shall have " taken the shine out of you." I wish I could more often Rend you reports of any meetings for the dispatch of our public business, bnt this seems all to be got through sub rosa here. Whetherjthere is any hidden place in the bush where it is transacted I cannot say, but in vain do I keep a watchful eye upon the black board at the Government Building, supposed to be dedicated to the notification of snch matters to the public. By its aid I can ascertain that pigs are for sale, that Mons. and Madame Howlenzshrick will favour us with II Tiovatore, or the Brothers "Bir licoat " are about to perform on the tight rope, but by the rearest chance does it throw any light upou our public business. I do not hear of anyone being in any way molested by the Maoris in onr immediate neighborhood. A report was current about a day or two ago, that they were ploughing up land at Mr. Tishe's farm between here and Manutahi, but it proved practically a false report, as they were doing it for pay at the request of the tenant. We are uot, however, in a very contented state, (especially those living on the back roads, and I think that our position with regard to the natives should very rapidly be made stronger and secure. What are 40 A.C.'s for your district? It makes one pmile — 400 would look more like a real intention to protrct us and vindicate the majesty of the law. A rumour is also on foot here, that some Europeans who have taken a contract to grind flour at a mill near Opunake are being kept at work at the job, nolens volens by armed natives, but- of this I have no means of ascertaining the truth. The feeling at our meeting the other night, for forming the corps, was very decided as to the natives having gone too far, and that unless they immediately retracted and submitted to the law they ought to be let have it hot and strong.