OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3964, 11 February 1882, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

[teleor vphed by oun correspondent], February 11. — At a large public meeting held here on Thursday night it was unanimously resolved that the Chairman should telegraph to the Minister of Lands asking him to sell the Oeo-Taungatara Block without delay. Accordingly the following telegram was despatched by Mr. Galvin yesterday morning: — "As chairman of a large public meeting held at Opunake last night I have been requested to telegraph to you asking that the six thousand acre block, along the main road between Oeo and Taungatar.i, might be sold without delay. As Sir William Fox told the deputation here some weeks ago that tlie names of all the natives claiming land had been obtained as far as the southern boundary of Opunake township, under the belief that some rural land would be sold a large population has settled here. There are eighty-five children on tho school roll, the average attendance lately being seventy ; unless something is done with the land in the vicinity of the township great hardship must ensue during the coming winter. The people of Opunake rely on jour sense of justice and fair play, and hope you will assist them. The sale o£ the township lealised about £10,000, and the large population arrived here lately will secure the future peace of the West Coast."

The following reply was received last evening :—: —

To P. Galvin, Esq., Opunake.

"In reply to your telegram I have to state that the Surveyor-General has just left for New Plymouth to arrange with Sir William Fox for the immediate survey of such lands as may bo available for settlement. — W. Rulleston."

As showing the interest taken in tho matter, it may be stated that the meeting also decided to forward a petition to the Minister of Crown Lands on the same subject.

In a few hours, and before a reply came to hand, over fifty signatures were attached to the petition.

A large number of strangers are continually making enquiries as to when the land is to be sold ; if sopn, it will fetch high prices.

The Rev. F. R. Seaborn, who is travelling for the purpose of collecting materials for a book on New Zealand, purposes giving readings from the English and American poets, in the Girls' Schoolroom, Courtenaystreet, on Tuesday next. The Press in other parts of the colony where the Rev. Mr. Seabourne has read speak highly of his powers as an elocutionist, therefore a treat may be expected for those who are fond of this kind of amusement. The rev. gentleman intends visiting Waitara and Inglewood during tho ensuing week.

Mr. H. King, the owner of the land at the Meeting of the Waters, has been considerate enough always to allow the public at any time to enter upon his property for the purpose of holding picnics, parties, &c, but we learn that his willingness to oblige the public has met with base ingratitude from some persons, who recently visited this lovely spot, and cut down a number of trees. If such conduct is repeated, Mr. King will, of course, be obliged to stop persons from entering on his land, and that would be a matter for general regret. It will be seen by advertisement that Mr. King oifcrs a reward for the conviction of the offenders.

The s.s. Hawea, Captain Kennedy, ar rived in the roadstead this morning. She left Port Chalmers on the 7th February, at 1.30 p.m., arrived at Lyttelton on tho Bth, at 9 a.m. ; sailed at 3.15 p.m., arrived at Wellington on the 9th, sit 7 15 a.m. ; sailed at 3.40 p.m. for Picton, :i< . . .Ed at 9 p.m. ; sailed at midnight for Nelson, and arrived on the 10th at 10.30 a.m. ; sailed at 1.40 p.m. for Taranaki, and arrived on the 11th.

Some. Maoris in town yesterday were in high glee because they heard that To Whiti and Tohu had been liberated. They asked several persons if it was true, and when they were informed by a gentleman who is well known and much respected among the natives that the report was incorrect, they were exceedingly disappointed. We hope no one has been silly enough to wilfully circulate such a false report among the natives solely for the sake of a " lark." The feelings of the natives are entitled to more consideration than to be trifled with in such a thoughtless manner, and the conduct of any person who would invent a !"]•:• fabrication of that kind is cortainly \ :/ reprehensible.