PUBLIC MEETING.

West Coast Times, Issue 105, 18 January 1866, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING.

RR-KLFCTION OF THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

Last night, accmling to announcement, a puhlic meeting was held nt the Coriuihi an Hall for the purpose of receiving a statement from the Improvement Committee, whose time of office had expired, together with a balance sheet of monies received and expended. It was also called for the purpose of takiug the sense of the meeting as to the desirability of electing a new committee, and, if deemed advisable, of taking steps to carry out such election. Ji he members of the retiring committee present wore Messrs Reeves, Palmer, Ktfclesfiold, Bonar, J. H. Anderson, Clark, Bracken, and Munro. The absentees ' were Messrs, Hawkcs and lrosser (engaged on their legislative duties in Christchurch), Cassius, Hay ?UK* -Harding. The hall was well filled and considerable interest was manifested m the proceedings. Mr. Reeves was called to the chair, and opened the business by stating for what purposes the meeting had been called, and requesting the hon. secretary to read a report that had been prepared. Mr. Munro (hon. see.) came forward, and with several demonstrations of applause at different passages, read the report as' follows :— KRl'OltT OF THK HOKITIKA. IMI'JIOVKMKNT CoMMITTKK, ON IIBTIUIKd KIIOM OVFICK UV THK KFI'MJXIOS TIMK. To tlio residents of Hokitika. ' Gentlemen, — It is now six months since yon did us the honor of electing us as your first representative body, to watch over local interests in this important town ; during which time the Committee has held thirty-six meetings, each having a good average ftttendftneo of members. The first subject to which (hey directed their attention was the improvement of the streets throughout the town as far as •pcumstancps would permit ; this they in n great measure accomplished, although they have- had to labor under many difficulties-— tho first, having no lo^al authority to levy rates on the occupiers ; the second, the very meagre and unsatisfactory assistance they have received from the Government for such important and necessary public works as tlio improvement of tho sheets. The next matter to which tho Committee directed their attention was to eradicate existing abuses in the administration of Government on the West Coast golJ-ficlds, and to advanco the interests of the whole district, both by local influence, and appeals (o the General and Provincial Governments. In this, the Committee regret to say they have only partially uioeeeded. Yet. notwithstanding all these drawbacks the Committee does not hesitate to state, that through their agency ami representations many important beuefits have been conferred on this place by the Government, such as throwing the Port open to tho importation of cattle 5 the better ruanngemen tof the Harbor Department, ■yliS regards beacons for lhe guidance of vessels entering the pert, and the proper working of the signal staff ; the establishment of a Supreme Court, and extended jurisdiction of tho llesident Magistrate's Court ,• the alteration of tho postal arrangement of forwarding all letters, unless specially addressed, by the weekly overland mail to Christchnrch, instead of despatching them by the first and most direct opportunity ; the initiation of a Fire Brigade, which now promises to be a great protection to the town and a credit to the inhabitants, both as regards number, eOicienoy, and experience. But the Committee regret to state that they . have -failed as yet in inducing the Government to 'sell tho town allotments at an upset price to the occupiers, although the committee have repeatedly represented to the Government tho expressed wish of the inhabitants, both by-memo-rial and otherwise. The Committee- also regret to state that owing to this town not being proclaimed v slaughter-house- district they havo had no power to suppress tho many nuisances which Jjavcand oven do now oxist, although thoy '"have repeatedly npplied to the Commissioner to appoint an Inspector- of Nuisance*, the Government, havo not taken any steps in tho matter. Tho Committee- take this opportunity to impress on the inhabitants tho necessity of removing all rubbish, &c, from their promises to a dopofc nt a convenient distance , from tho town, in order to guard against diseases. You are aware, Gentlemen, Hint the efforts of not only this Committee, but of the public generally, have been unsuccessful in inducing the Government to place the management of the Hospital in the hands of a public committee. The insufficiency of the accnmmotlation provided and general management of this institution, up to this time, cannot be too strongly condemned, but the Committee does not wish at present to enter more fully into the subject, as they have observed with satisfaction that the Government are preparing a proper building and making other arrangements for eanyiiig on the institution in that liberal spirit to which the institution is entitled. Although tho work of extending the wharf towards Bevell-strecfc has not been undertaken by tho Committee, thoy cannot liolp expressing their (?) nfc tho Government for allowing such an important public work to bo inado and carried on entirely at tho expense- of tho inhabitants, and they cannot suiliciently deprccato the conduct of tho Government in this matter. Tho Committee cannot help expressing their extreme satisfaction at his Honor Judgo Gresson's visit to this town, ns it will not only bo a saving both of timo and money to a great portion of tho community, but it will tend to X havo a bonoficiu!" ©fleet on tho whole district. With reference to financial tidairs, tho Committee aro glad to atnto that they nro in a very satisfactory condition, as will bo seen by reference to tho duly audited stalcmont of our Treasurer. In conclusion, tho Committee- express thoir regret that they havo not been in a position to effect moro improvements throughout tho town during their short tomiro of oJlico, thoy arc awaro that much remains to bo done, and ' would uvgo tho inhabirauls to take such steps nB thoy think most ilosivablo to complete tho improvements which this Committco havo committee congratulate tho inhabitants on the prosperous slate of trado and the satisfactory yield of our gold fields. And now, gentlemen, in retiring fiom ollicc, it icmaiu3 with you lo elect n new committee, to Svatch over and pioteciyour interests, and carry. o^. any further improvements that may be deemed necessary. Hicham) Kkbves. Chairman. Thomas Munjio, Hon. Sec. That was a brief synopsis of the work diat tho committee had done, and in '' th at report n great many matters of public intercut Imd not been touched Jin, Hu would voih' to ono «gppoi(i.l)y that M RttiMtodl » iwflo «n»o\mti <tf

public attention, viz., the extension' of the Avlvu-f opposite to Kovell-street. As soon as the committee Avas elected, they saAV this necessity, and they communicated Avith Mr. Hale, but failed to receive any satisfictory answer. In fact, Mr. Sale completely ignored their request, and they consequently addressed the Provincial Government on the subject, but failed to receive anything like a satisfactory answer. (The speaker read the reply referred to, in which the Government declined to do more.) He would ask Avhether that Avas not sufficient to put a damper on the efforts of any committee, for it appeared to him that the line of policy enunciated by the Government Avas that they Avould execute no public work, lioavca'ci 1 beneficial to the public, unless some direct benefit Avas obtained ; if this Avas not possible, they (the Government) would not undertake it. It might be observed that this reply avus given Avithout tho least examination, and indeed tho Government had no doubt derived their information on which it Avas founded through the very officials AA'ho at first refused to take any steps in tho matter. The letter in question, he considered Avas a good specimen of the policy pursued by the GoA'crinronl to the West Coast for a long time (hear hear) nohvithstanding this letter, Mr. Balfour, Government Marine Engineer, haci recently noted Hokitika, and he at once not only saw, but acknowledged the necessity of protecting tho river banks without delay, and he sent in a report to that effect, ' Noav, no doubt as the Provincial Engineer had recognised tho necessity for expenditure in this Avay the Government Avould take some ■notice of it, and avoulcl take some action. He concluded by saying, that tho committee had done all in their poAA'er to promote this important matter, but had not been able to do as much as they could have wished from tho causes above referred to. (The speaker retired "amid loud cheers). Tho Chairman then called, on Mr. Palmer, hon. treasurer to tho committee^to read his financial statement. Mr. Palmer oamo fonvard and read the following, explaining tho various items as He proceeded. StATKMKXT OP 11ATB3 ANl> Exi'KNBITUKR ON Stkkbtc, Hokitika, Wharf SI root-— Amount of contract 290 10 0 Extras .... U 0 0 - _— 1_£335 10 0 By paid Cmi^<(linlf contract) . r^. MS 5 0 Extras . . . . *21- 10 0 JCIC9 15 0 To amount of ralos collecto.l . \ . IG7 11 0 Surplus of cx]k! over rates . £2 4 0 Eevoll StreetAmount of contract. .820 0 0 Old Committee, ox- . Ira. work ... 810 G £328 10 6 }3y pnid Crnig, half 'contract . . . IGO 0 0 By paid Edgar . . 810 G £108 10 G To amount of rates collected ... 225 17 G Surplus of rates over expel. . £57 7 0 Gibson's Quay — Amount of coiu'rnct 144 0 0 Extra 5 0 0 JCI4S) 0 0 By paid Dnrcy, half contract ... 72 0 0 By pnid Craig, extra 5 0 0 £77 o 0 To nmoufc of rates collected ... 90 2 0 Surplus of rates over cxpil . . £13 2 0 Cask Account ok the Imphovemhxt COMJII'ITKi:. To Surplus of Eate3 over Expenditure — Keren street £57 7 0 Gibson's Quay . . . . , 13 2 0 70 9 0 Less Surplus of Expd, OA'or Eate3 Wharf street 2 4 0 Balaneo . . ' . £68 5 0 GKNKUAI. KXI>KNSjr.S. By advertising, stationery, &c . . . £16 0 9 By plans, ho. . . , 6 6 0 By memorial for snlo"of land .... 220 ■Ry Dr Puvdon, clerk . 19 0 0 By Dr Vuvdon, commission on rates collected 3 11 0 48 £9 0 Balaneo in hand . . £21 5 8 There was a balance of £21 6s. 3d. to the credit of the committee, Avhieh they proposed to expend in improvements in Gibson's Quay and lievoll street ; in fact to make it go as far as it Avould. The Chairman said that the meeting had heard tho reports read, and it would rest Avith those piescnt to show then 1 approval of them or not, by confirming them or otherwise. If there Avero any questions to be put the members of the retiring committee Avould be happy to answer them. If the reports Avere satisfactory he trusted that some ono Avould move their adoption. A A'oicc — What steps have the committee taken to keep the rights-of-wayin RcA'cll-strcet open ? Mr. Palmer assured the meeting that the matter had been discussed Vy the committee, but on n diA'ibion the numbers Avere equal. It Avas then found that the committee had no authority, no locus standi in fact in the matter. Some residents petitioned the Government, and Mr, Sale gavo orders thai no right-of-Avay should be closed. There the matter rested as far as the committee Avcrc concerned.

No more questions were asked, and Mr, Saycrs then moved, and Mr. Adam seconded, tv motion that the report and balance sheet submitted should be approved of and adopted by tho meeting. This was put and carried without a dissentient voice.

A vote of thanks to tho retiring Committee, on the motion of Mr Mcc, seconded by Mr Gross, Ava» also unanimously carried.

The Chairman, on behalf of tho Committee, thanked those present, and hoped that all would go homo with tho imprcs»io;i that tho Committee lmil rtono iho

posal allowed. Ho could assure those present that they had done the best they could for the benefit of the town and district and their folloAV-citizons. (Cheers.) The Committee then left the platform, but, on tho motion of Mr Clark, seconded by a- gentleman avlioso name we did not catch, Mr Keoves avjis re-elected to the chair ; and it wa.s also resolved to go on with tho election of a now committee. The nomination Ava« being proceeded Avith, Messrs. Bonar and Anderson linving been nominated, Avhon Mr. Eicke mounted tho stage and requested permission to address tho meeting. This Avas granted, Mr Eicke said that his present object Avas to take the sense of the meeting whether it Avould not be courteous to ask the gentlemen Avho had recently held oflicc, and in the lace of such uphill Avork had shoAvn such a desire to sci'A'e tho best interests of the town, to continue in ofHco. If a now committee avus elected it would be tow or three months before they would get into thorough working order, and equally posted up with those now retiring. Ue proceeded to pay a high compliment to the late committee, remarking i hat since their election the confidence of tho public in them had not only not been shaken, but had been materially strengthened. lie concluded by proposing that the late committee should bo requested to hold office for a further period of six months. Mr Ltirgard seconded the motion, which Avas carried enthusiastically,' tho chairman remarking that it avhs putting him in rather a delicate position to make him as it were an instrument of his oavii re-election. Tho members of the Committee present then came np again on the platform and soA'erally returned thanks, though all declared that they had intended .to absolutely resign, finding the position such a thankless one. Mr Palmer Avas very brief in his thanks. Mr Munro complained bitterly of the loss of time that members had to suffer, but expressed his Avillingness to serve again after the public expression of confidence that had been given. At the sa'iie time ho thought that some fresh blood to fill some vacancies that would arise should be infused. i Mr Bracken coincided with the previous speaker as to tho infusion of new blood into the committee, and should like to see all parts of the toAvn represented. He spoke Avarmly on the subject of the Canterbury Government, Avho had always snubbed the "Western district, and thought they might properly be styled the Canterbury humbugs. If somo great change for the better Avas not shortly made he thought it Avould be avcll to memorialise tho General Government to take this district under their charge and the public would then find things go on much bettqr. Mr Bofiar after thanking those present for his re-eloctiqn, drew attention to tho state of tho gaol, and congratulated tho Hokitika public on the visit of his Honor Judgo Gre.sson to tho district as tho evils at present existiugj were thereby likely to be remedied. lie also thought that noAV more frequent sittings of tho Supremo Court Avould be held and it was intended to leave no stone unturned to bring about these and other desirable results. He referred to tho question of Separation, and remarked that unless a different line of conduct from that hitherto shown towards this district, it .avoulcl bo necessary to take some strong action to prpvont the money raised hero from being squandered. (Cheers.) Mr J. 11. Anderson returned thank's in a humorous speech, and Avas loudly applauded. Mr Ecclcsncld, after acknowledging tho compliment paid to him, referred to reforms that might avcll be introduced into the gaol department, whereby the prisoners might bo kept usefully employed, and at tho same timo be kept healthy, instead ■ of disonso»l, r.s at present; Mr Clarke also returned thanks, and suggested that as there Ayould, be vacancies, the now members shquld be selected from those interested in neAV streets. . : •Mr. Palmer had one, thing to say, Avhieh Avas, thai the committee would not again undertake works unless they had tho actual cash in their -hands to do them with, for they had already experienced tho difficulty of collecting when Avorks were finished. lie also mentioned that plans for the improvement of Weld and Tancred streets had been prepared, and tlie' District Engineer Avished to confer Avith the committee in reference to carrying them out. Some little confusion arose at this stage in reference to proceeding with the election of members to serve in the room of those Avho had not attended. Eventually it Avas resolved to elect ono member in lieu of Mr. Hay, aylio had permanently left Hokitika, and Mr. Eicko Avas unanimously chosen to iill tho A'ucancy. It was also stated by Mr, B, ouar, that in order to ensure the attendance of members in future, it Avas proposed to pass a standing order, Avhereby any member avlio neglected to attend the usual Aveekly meetings for three Aveeks Avould lose his scat. This seemed to give great satisfaction, and tho business was brought to a conclusion in v most satisfactory manner.

In preaching a charity sermon, Sydney Smith frequently repeated tho asHui'tion that, of till nations, Englishmen were most distinguished for tboir goncroMly, and the lovo of their specks. The collection happened to bo inferior to liis ox-pui-tation, and he Hiiicl thai ho had evidently made a great mi&ttike ; for that his expression should have Wn, that they woie distiuguislicd for tho' love of their specie. Si) Fletcher Noilou (afterwards Loid (linntley) was noted for his want of courtesy. AVhou pleading before Lord JWuiiMield on somo question of manorial light, he chanced unfortunately to say, " My Lord, I can illufalrato the point in an iiifetwit in my «wn jicvhoii— - 1 mysolf luivo two little vhimw " "Wo nil l;»nw \i, Siv l'li'lcllDf/'inlmjO-iOtl tilt) juiluo, Hj||| >} l»li||i(l