PUBLIC MEETING AT WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1763, 25 June 1877, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT WAIMATE.

A public meeting, was held m the 043---fellows' Hal, Waimate. on Friday evening, last, .to comider the subject of opening vp t Crown lands for sale, by deferred payments,, on the termination of the pastoral leases m 1861* There were about 150 persons prwen^ The' .chair was taken by Mr J. Bruce, Chairman of, the Waimate County Council, who opened, the meeting by reading the advertisement. He said he agreed with the gentlemen who had applied to him to hare a meeting called-/ as he considered the roarer to be brought; before the meeting one of the greatest importance to the district. , , ,'...' Mr A. Adams said that previous to moving the first resolution ha wouldjuk the meeting to consider that, as the lease* of runs in^thfl Canterbury {district would be , out m > few. years, it would be well, for the people" to s<«. that the Govcrriinent took action m the, mat- 1 ter, so that justice to the settlers should be done. • ' :.•..,'.'; '.'. ".': ■...' ! The resolulion»he submitted W^-" That ; this meeting ft of opinion that the }ands m the district now held by rnnholders from the, Crown, an* reverting to the Urowa m 1881, should) on the termination of the; present term of lease, he offered, for public sale uponr deferred payments m suitable allotments* ta>k>. ing into consideration the natural features and boundaries of the County,' I .:'. ,j j , , ,- Mr Wait, ttfler a«idr«!»Bing the meeting; seconded the resolution. Mr P. Gstitt said he wai glad to see the' action taken m this matter. It was the d^y of the inhabitants to use every legitimate means to open up the country, and induce men with capital and energy, to settle m it.: While fair play should be given to the run-, holders, he thought every facility shbujd be offered to working men to purchase, or lew.! and settle on the land. la Otago he bad heard that lands which had been bringing only 2d an acre, on being opened fairly 1© competition brought 8d an acre. Thja,-with other indications m the increase of , land by opening it up to competition, and offering it on deferred payments, showed that the veto* lution before. the meeting was * step jn ; ftjtt right direction, and the principle proposed, j£ acted on, would very considerably increase the land revenue. .. ..".,„,• There being no amendment the Chairman put the motion, which; »m cauried withpnt dissent... .. .< ... .., , . -. , ,■ ...,....„,,,. : Mr E. "Emit moyed-^-" That tbp Chairman forward a copy of the resolution, as passed, tothe Government} also a copy to Mr TMohtfi maker, member, for Gladstone, asking him to bring the : matter , before :, the .House < ■ of Assembly m its. true meanings and to use his best endeavors to hare it carried jpto effect."-. -. ■ -: .; . r. In moring the resolution Mr Hunt said it was not merely as templars, bnt« members of the community that iinntelf * a'tfa ottiers moved m this matter, and seeing the time fast approaching wh*n the leases jf ofuiaiapse, and other parties not taking the "matter m hand, they thought it right 10 . bring the matter before the public. The" speaker had experienced hard things from the landlord Wd 1 tenant system m England, aria he feared » repetition of the same system m this eduniry if the people did not bestir themselvesi 'He believed the resolution passed by the meeting would aid m bringing settlers on to the Waste Lands, and bo irierease employment. o.[; .>:<> . Mr jF. Gaitt seconded (he insolation, ana ■aid he, thought it required no great, amount of advocacy to cause it to be passed, »s the first resolution was only a mere expression t of opinion, if. not. Acted, upon as; moved. in,&fr Hunt's resolution. Ho hoped the people would, press the matter on the GoTernmant, ad as to ensure. success, •> ■ . ;■ '_/ "'.'/ : >; ; On being pat to the meeting, the resolution was-' carried unanimously, v ".' '' ' ''' '■■/' J '-' f ' The Chairinanr.Baid .W' would ' : fakVe' J ''i\& resolutions patted 5y tne meeting 'carried 'into effect as soon as possible. ■''"•• -i»>'>:-- *<•« A Tote .of thaoks te> 4he C*a«rnian clos-'d the meeting. : • ;■■ . m: v..; ■■/ ',■:!-■ , :.'!•>. -