8.—13

2

(10.) Amount of grant to the four Ashburton Districts for the six months ending September 30,1876, £5,750. (11.) Amount of land sales in the five Road Districts of Mandeville, Avon, Heathcote, Spreydon, and Riccarton, for the three months of April, May, June, 1876 —viz., trifling. (12.) Amount of grant for six months ending September 30, 1876, to the five districts of Mandeville, Avon, Heathcote, Spreydon, and Riccarton—viz., £5,400.

Copt of Resolutions passed at a Public Meeting held at the Library Hall, Ashburton, on Monday, 17th July, 1876. 1. That this meeting approves of the action taken by the Chairmen of the Eoad Boards in memorializing the Government with reference to the distribution of the Land Fund raised in this district, and it desires to confirm the resolutions as passed in support of the memorial. 2. That this meeting begs to bring under the notice of the Government the claim which the district has for the construction of a branch railway to Mount Somers and Alford Forest, funds for which could easily be obtained if an equitable distribution of the Land Fund had been observed. 3. That this meeting begs to protest most strongly against the proposal to call the district the Rakaia County, as it is contrary to long-established usage and to the wishes of the majority of the inhabitants, and an unnecessary slight to the largely populated centre of the district; and that they are of opinion that it should still be known by the name of Ashburton. 4. That the resolutions be forwarded to the Government through Mr. Wason, the member for the district, with a request that he will strongly urge the equitable claim of the several Road Boards on the Land Funds of the district; and that a copy be forwarded to the Provincial Government, with a request that they will support them so far as they are able. 5. That this meeting desires to bring to the notice of the Government the necessity of having a Resident Magistrate appointed for this district. 6. That the Chairman be requested to forward the foregoing resolutions, together with a petition as read, to the Honorable the Minister of Justice.

By Authority: G-BOBGE Dedsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB76. Price 3d.]