OPENING OF -THE MOKAU.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7378, 23 May 1887, Page 2

OPENING OF -THE MOKAU.

THIS ID.A.V. A SPECIAL meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday morning to urge upon (Government the necessity of opening the Mokau; , Present : The Mayor (Mr. W, Bayly) and Messrs. Bellringer, Hugheß, Small, Dockrill, Corkill, Newman, and Boy. 'Mr. Dockrill introduced the question by stating that the Council were called . together for the purpose of again urging upon the Government the urgent necessity of opening the Mokau lands; and went on to say that it was more a question which a Chamber of Commerce should take up, but as there was not such a body it therefore devolved upon the Borough Council to bring .the matter under the notice of the Government. Mr. Dockrill read the resolutions he proposed as follows: — " That thiß Council desires respectfully to bring under the notice of the Go /eminent the great importance to the colony and especially to the Provincial Districts of Auckland and •Taranaki of opening up the Mokau country, and utilizing its vast deposits of coal, limestone, cement; and other minerals." " That seeing that a sitting of the Native, Lands Court is about to be held here to investijate and decide upon certain native and European claims in a lease of Mokau land,' this Council would point out that the decision of this question is a necessary preliminary to the settlement of thiß district, and would therefore urge upon ' the Government to direct that ia order to prevent' further delay the ensuing sittings may be continued from day to day until a final decision -is reached." "That being informed that the Mokau natives as well as the applicants are extremely anxious for a validation of the arrangements coare to between the parties, and as the terms of the lease in question have been inquired into and sanctioned by Parliament, this Council trusts that no mere informality will be allowed to prevent speedy and substantial justice being done to all the parties concerned." Mr. Dcfckrill pointed out as another reason which they, as the Borough Council, should consider — its important bearing upon the ironsand smelting that was now being carried put in the district. The promoters of the scheme were of opinion that the Mokau coal was the only article that could be profitably used, but its price should be 15s per ton, instead of that at presei t charged. There would then bo a Baying of 10s per ton upon the price at which the iron could be produced. He (Mr, Dockrill) considered that a sufficient argument why the Borough should support the resolution — it was only to Mokau that' they could look to for cLeap coal. He had been shown a telegram that Te Wetere had sent to the Government, and which showed the anxiety of the natives to have the laud brought under the operation of the Loans to Local Bodies Act. It was a question, therefore, that came fully within the scope and powers of the Minister of Ltmds. Mr. Bellrinqer said the question was one that did not require him to speak at any length to. He seconded the resolution. Mr. Rot would support the resolutions in their effect, but he would like to see them altered, as ho did not think the Council should take upon themselves the responsibility of inPerentially recognising anyone as the lossee of the lands. As a Borough Council they had no right to take upon themselves to say what was the duty of the Native Lands Court. Mr. Corkill agreed with the previous speaker, and said he would move as an amendment, "That tho last clause of the resolution be omitted." It had not been brought under the Council's notice that the native owners were anxious to have the lands opened. Mr. Roy seconded the amendment. Further discussion ensued, and at the suggestion ot Mr. Hoghes the final clause of the resolution was so amended as to omit the reference to the Council recognising any lease at present held. Permission was given to withdraw the amendment, and the motion as altered was then put and carried unanimously. This ended the business.