PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 168, 5 June 1873, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA.

A meeting of the nettlers of this district was held at the Alexandra Hotel, on Saturday, the 31st May, for the purpose of urging upon the Government the necessity of continuing the railway line from Auckland through Waikato. Owing to the very bad weather, the attendance was not numerous, but all those that were present evinced the greatest interest in the object of the meetiDg. G. Y. Tisdull, Esq., having beon Toted to the chair, read the notice convening the meeting, and the business commenced by the chairman of the meeting reading the following letter from Dr Waddmgton : —

" Alexandra; 31st May, 1873. " Sir, — I regret I shall not be able to attend the meeting called for this afternoon, with, reference to the extension of the Waikato railway from Mercer through the centre of the Delta. " The object of the meeting has my full concurrence and sympathy, as- 1 feel that such a line has become a public necessity, if the prosperity and rapid progression of the whole Waikato are to be considered. " Your obedient servant. "Ed. Waddington. " To the Chairman.'' Mr Tisdall, at some length, expressed hi» views upon the matter in hand, entirely agreeing with the resolutions passed, at the Ngaruawahu meeting, £§Mr K. Hill proposed, and Mr Dillon seconded : " Tliat the following gentlemen, viz. , Messrs Tisdall, Waddington, Aubin, Sloane and Brown constitute a committee to draw up a petition in nccjrJance with, and similar to the one adopted by, the committee appointed 1 by the public meeting held l&st week at Ngarunwahia." — Carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr Sloane, and seconded by Mr Brown : " That Mr K. Hill's .name be addel to the committee." — Carried item. con. Mr Tisdall said that in the event of a general outbreak amnugst the natnes, Alexandra would, undoubtedly, be the basis of operations, and that for defence purposes a line through the centre of the Delta would bo the most useful. Mr McMmn objected to the native question being brought so prominently forward as an inducement to constructing the railway through tlie centre of the Delta, when the advantages that the whole country would derive in adopting a central, line, were a quite sufficient recommendation. The meeting, after carrying a vote of thanks to the chairman, separated. toflThe following petition has resulted from the meeting :— T " To the Honorable Minister of Public Works. " The humble petition of the settlers residing in the district of Alexandra respectfully sheweth : " That a line of railway from Mercer to Ngaruawhaia, wncl thence through the centre of the delta to one of the frontier settlements, would be of inestimable benefit to the whole of the districts comprising the Upper Waikato. " That such a line quickly carried out would materially facilitate the transport of military stores, and would supply a means for bringing largo bodies of troops to the front at the shortest notice. " That it would have a very desirable and important effect upon the native mind, and giro that confidence to the frontier settlers which is at the present moment so lamentably shaken. •' That the existing high rate of freight and uncertainty of delivery tend greatly to chock our prosperity, and cause agriculture in all its branches to become & very hazardons and unreliable means of existence. " That your petitioners feel confident that the railway so extended would rapidly increase our population, and cause the immediate occupation of much land at present lying idle. " And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will over pray." A second petition similar to the foregoing is now being signed. It is the intention of Major Jackson to lay it before the House of Representatives during the coming scsssion.