MAKOTUKU.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2501, 4 September 1890, Page 2

MAKOTUKU.

(qwn correspondent.)

A public meeting was held at the Beaconsfield Hotel, Makotuku, last evening, (Thursday,) Mr H. W. Gasson in the chair.

The Chairman stated that a railway order had just come in, and 10s a cord was offered, but he thought a better price should be paid, say 12a. Mr Russell proposed that a committee of three be appointed to visit the firewoodsupplying centres and interview those ©ugagod in the trade, and prevail upon them to agree on a certain price, they could hold a meeting of delegates at Makotuku on Thursday next. Seconded by Mr Forward and carried.

Mr Forward proposed that until the delegates had met no one should put firewood on trucks for less than 12s a cord ; present ordes to remain undisturbed, also orders for rough wood. Mr Stevenßon thought care should be taken that their demands were not excessive or they would kill the trade altogether.

Mr J. Nielsen said he would like to know how it was that the railway wanted firewood now, and whether this action would injure the strikers ? Mr Gasson said it was outside the province of the meeting to consider the question.

Mr Russell said he thought it would not interfere with the union in any way. The motion was then carried. Messrs Gasson, Russell, and Pike were appointed delegates to interview the suppliers of firewood at the several centres. Mr Russell thought that the question of freight should be considered. He did not think consumers got their wood any cheaper now than when the suppliers received 14s or 15s here.

Mr Robinson said the difference of freight between Danevirke, Takapau, and Makotuku would make a corresponding difference io the prices of firewood, and the only way was to raise the price 2s all round on the present rates. -Mr Gasson moved that the firewood producers be requested to sustain the action of this meeting, seconded by Mr Robinson, and carried. Mr Schaare sen., wished to know how it came about that in the cld times when firewood was plentiful the price was high, and now when wood was getting scarce the price was so low ?

Mr Russell said he thought this was because in the old days very few had drays and coaid go into it, but now competition was keen.