PRE-SESSIONAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3717, 14 June 1883, Page 3

PRE-SESSIONAL.

MR. SMITH, M.H.R., AT ORMONDVILLE.

A largely-attended meeting of electors residing in and about o.imondvillo was held on Tuesday evening. Tho meeting grew out of a previous ono, at which a number of the settlers met to discuss matters connected with the local requirements, and to decide what were the most pressing local needs to bo urged upon the attention of the Government. At that meeting a set of resolutions wero agreed to and drafted, and it was also decided to ask Mr Smith, M.H.R., to visit this part of the constituency, if convenient, before proceeding to Wellington, so that the resolutions alluded to might be discussed. Accordingly Mr Smith attended at Ormondville, and addressed the electors on Tuesday evening. Mr O'Leary was in tho chair, and refrained from making a speech at the commencement of the proceedings—simply sating that Mr Smith would speak—but he mado up for his forbearance at this poriod by a most eloquent and lengthy oration on the "Pioneers" at the closo of tho meoting proper. .. Passing by Mr O'Loary. and his "Pioneers," I may say that Mr Smith appeared to have his audionce entirely with him the whole time ho spoke—some fortyfive minutes. His address consisted of a short resume of what was done in tho House last session, devoting his attention chiefly to the local government moasures. To some of these he extended a qualified approval, especially the Roads and Bridg-ea-Act, but only as " stoppages " and temporary expedients to tide over real difficulties not yet fairly grappled with by any of the soeallod provisions for local government. The Speaker strongly argued against and opposed the property tax, and in this portion of his remarks was loudly applauded. Having lightly touched upon what appeared to bo the policy for the coming session, as foreshadowed by Major Atkinson in his recent addresses, Mr Smith resumed his seat amidst loud and continued applause. Mr Brabazon proposed, and Mr G. Hansen seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Smith, which was put to tho meeting and carried unanimously. The following resolutions, drawn up at the previous meeting I havo before referred to, wero then read:— 1. " That the trustees of the Ormondville cemetery, being non-residents of the district, should be called upon" to resign, and fresh ones be appointed by the Government." 2. "That tho Government be asked to grant a suitable piece of land for a cemetery, the present cemetery being quite unfit for the purpose." 3. "That the Government be asked to put footbridges on the raihvay bridges in the district so that settlers may be able to got across the rivers without fear of drowning on the ono hand, or of fine for trespassing on the railway bridge on the other. And also that that the Government b» asked to fence tho railway line.'' 4. "That tho Wasto Lands Board be asked to sell the Makatoku block on deferred payments." Mr Smith advised that the resolutions be embodied in memorial form and sent to the respective Ministers, and he would do his best in support of them whilo in Wellington. He also advised direct communication with the Land Board on the subject of the last resolution. Tho meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.—(Own correspondent.)

mr Mcdonald, m.h.r., at WAIROA. Mr Allan McDonald, M.H.R. for tho East Coast, addressed a meeting of his constituents at Mayo's Hall, Wairoa, last night, Mr J. Gemmoll in the chair. Owing to the short notice the attendance was small but representative Mr McDonald explained why ho had not addressed them boforo, which was owing- to his having an attack of fever. He had that day attouded a joint meeting of the Harbor Board and Council, and they had given him an outline for the coming session. The Council had always assisted him, and he could honestly say no Council in New Zealand had done more for its district. This was in marked contradistinction to the Cook Council. When Parliament met last session the r. overnment0vernment wero afraid of the prospeot, and tho Opposition had no leader, Mr Montgomery being favored by some and Mr Macandrew by others. He declined to support Mr Montgomery because of his predilection in favor of preventing dealing with' native lauds, and because he favored separation. Though ho helped to pass the Representation Bill ho was sorry it had passed, though it gave the East Coast another member, for now Canterbury and Otago had 45 votes against the North Islands 16, these latter including tho Maori members, of whom one belonged to the South. He condemned tho Government for locking up one million acres, under the Thermal Sprfrigw Act. In future members Should obtain from th.o Government a distinct statement of the object of such biljsj. lie Mr Bryce's trip through the King country, it was merely to report on the line for a railway via Taranaki to Auckland in opposition to one via Napier and Taupo. It was to tho interest of Napier and Waipawa to have the line come by Tuupo, for then Wairoa might get a branch lino. The Rotorua Company had also an interest in the Taupo line, and would do all they could to get it. He would devote all his energies to this object, doing his best for the East Coast and the colony as a whole, and if he erred it was for want of judgment. The &cmthoru members had got an aniendpient in tho North Island million railway loan, tliat until the lino- was gurvoyed itio Government should net borrow jnoney. jSe then opposed tfte three million

loan for the South Island. Next session would see a split iv the Cabinet. Major Atkinson, in the South, favored free trade in native lands, and Mr Rolleston and Mr Bryce, in the North, proposed to lock up the land., entirolv. Whether it would bo Mr Whitaker anil Major Atkinson, or Mr Bryce aud Mr Rolleston, he knew not, but fancied the former would carry the day, ancl Mr Bryce would-resign. Ho disapproved of the Native Reserves Bill, and said the Roads and Bridges Construction Bill and Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill had his warmest support. He supported the Napier High School Bill endowed by Wairoa lands because it would be of benefit to Wairoa in future. He would support the scheme for a harbor at Wairoa, and if the Government gave him permission to introduce tho bill it was sure to earn-, for he had it in black and white from'the other side of the House that they would support it. He would advocate the'road from Wairoa to Ohinemutu, and oppose tooth and nail any scheme to rate Wairoa lands for the Napier harbor works. If that were done tho rate would bo a first charge on Wairoa, and they would never get a harbor of their own. To use a vulgar sayinir. the East Coast had a " big say in'tho House. There were Messrs Stevens, Buchanan. Whit more, .T. N. Wilson, Pollen, aud himself, and all would do their best for the East Coast. He would conclude by saving the present Government had done more for tho East Coast than all the other Governments put together (applause), and on that score lie could not grumble. _he usual votes of thanks concluded the meeting -7By telegraph, own correspondent.)