PUBLIC MEETING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3848, 16 November 1883, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING.

A croAvtled public meeting avus held in tho Council Chamber last night for the' purpose of taking, into consideration the action of tho Government Avith respect to tho offices at present used by the Corporation. His AVorship tho Alayor occupied the chair, and explained that he had called I ho mooting in accordance Avith a resolution passed' by the Municipal Council. lie further stated that lie had written to the member for Napier, Mr Buchanan, asking him to attend the meeting, l.ut lie avus not tiAvaro Avhothcr Air Buchanan had received the letter or not, as ho had not forwarded any reply. Dr. Spencer also read tho folloAving letter front Mr Ormond, who, ho explained, avus Superintendent of Hawke's Bay at the timo tho Corporation offices were taken over from the Provincial Council: — "My dear Dr. Spencer,---! have this evening your note of yesterday's date kindly inviting me to attend the public meeting lo he held'to-morroAv to consider tho action of tho Government Avith respect to the nflices occupied by the City Council. 1 also sco by this evening's newspaper that I am expected lo address tho meeting on the subject. Now lam sorry not to see my way to accept your kind invitation, for I do not think the object tho City Council and toAynspcople havo in vie ay is likely to bo attained by speeches and resolutions passed iv the excitement of a public meeting. At the same timo I feel very strongly that tbe Government is acting harshly, .and unnecessarily so, towards tho town in this matlcr. Having a thorough knowledge of the buildings and the requirements of the departments located there, I am certain that, suitable arrangements could bo made by which tho Registrar's Ollico could bo given all the accommodation necessary, and still tho Municipal Council left in tho occupation of the part of the building which they are in my opinion equitably entitled to, and which tlio Provincial Government placed tho Council in possession of, when the buildings Avero the property of tho Provincial Government. As the public meeting is now called I Avould venture to .suggest that tho course most likely to gain a fair consideration of the case by the Government would bo for the meeting to appoint a committee, which, might include tho heads of the different local bodies Avho have offices iv the buildings, viz., the Alayor, the Chairman of tho Education Board, the Chairman of tho Harbor Board, and the Chairman of the County Council, to Avhom might bo added members of the City Council, and of tho meeting if desired. That finch committee should be authorised by the meeting to communicate Avith tho Government, and endeavor to arrange iv the best practicable manner for the necessary accommodation to the General Government departments, and a due consideration for accommodation for the local bodies. Personally I should be happy if desired to give my best services to a fair determination of these arrangements, but as I havo before said I do not think thoy aro likely to be satisfactorily dealt with at a public meeting,—Believe mo, yours sincerely, J. D. OIMOND."

Air Henry AVilliams moved tho first resolution as follows .—"That this meeting, Avhilo recognising that tho Corporation has no strictly "legal claim to possession of the rooms in the Provincial Buildings now occupied as offices, is of opinion that tho moral and equitable right of tho Council to such occupancy is a strong one, and respectfully solicits the Government to re-consider its late notice of ejectment." In moving tho resolution Air Williams merely said ho hoped it Avould have a good effect, but bo ■was afraid it .vould not. (Laughter.)

Air Combs seconded the motion

Mr J. Sheehan, M.H.R., then rose to address tho meeting, and received loud applause on coining forward. Ho said ho did not like to take an active part in the matter because he avus not a resident amongst them. At all events, ho had this qualification, that at certain times in tho year ho received some printed papers in tho shape of demands for borough rates, and tho fact that as far back as 187_ ho had taken a certain amount of interest in tho town of Napier, would, he thought, be a sufficient apology for appearing before them ou that occasion. Thoy had often board about the fly on tho Avhec'l, and the Town Council of Napier avus like the fly, for it avus perfectly powerless iv this matter: but still it might be possible to make the wheel turn tho right Avay. Ho looked upon the buildin c Avhich they avc re told to vacate as not quite " the house that Jack built." A good many Jacks must have been engaged on it to turn out such an indiil .rent building, as it avus not good enough for a gaol or a lunatic asylum. Nevertheless, it Avas the only sight available for municipal offices in Napier? They had in the town of Auckland 51 acres of public reserves for city purposes, ancl tho time Avould come Avhen those reserves Avould yield a rental cptito sufficient to carry on local government without rates. He knew of no such reserves m Napier for public requirements, and ho knew of no town that had been so badly dealt .vith iv this respect. [A voice : Whoso fault avus it.] It ay as not his fault; it Avas done long before he came to the place. Their public men Avoro to blame, avlio had flung all tho provincial money into tho Colonial Treasury when tlic provinces Avoro abolished. (Loud applause.) Ho know of no town in tho colony which was so badly off in the matter of reserves. Wellington was provided with a town bolt, Glinstchurch, Nelson, and Duuedin tho .samo, whilst hero in Napier tho local body of a

, laro-o and rising town had to go about on , its hands and feet to find a miserable place to roost in. (Applause.) It avus quite true, as they had boon told by Mr Ormond iv his letter, that tho action of the Government, iv the Avh'.'le busbies . was surprising, but empty promises should not bo relied on, and something definite should havo been done to secure tho Council's right to tho building. It had been proposed to employ lawyers to fight tho matter out. Now, he knew something about lawyer.. j"A voice : They're a bad lot.] There might bo people who Avould toll them to leave it to tho lawyers, but he (Mr Shoohiiu) Avould give them tin opinion on tho -whole question, and that opinion Avas that, legally speaking, tho Council had not a. Jog to It any person was enthusiastic enough to test the question Avith tho Government lie might doi-so. but there was no doubt he would have to pay two bill., of co. ts over it, that of the Government and of his own lawyer. As to keeping flic uues.ion open till tho House mot, he thought ibut would bo a very unwise course, and would not improve their position. It was not. pleasant to say unpleasant things, but th.vhudto be ..aid sometime*. Ho thought the Government were acting vorv unjustly in tho manner in which "thov "wore treating th" Corporation of Napier, and if thoy had b"cn wise Ihev would have gone .out of their AV.tv to remove the present dio>iillv. [Air Carneil: Why they took our stress.]" That only made tho matter w-ofs". 'Why did not the Governmonf turn out v.-!:-!'". ho jiiiglit term the "foreign liodics"' if tii'-,- were so ba-dly iv need of l;ii.''offices. it Inked now as'if tlio di,irici would sh'et.y Avitne-s.-i tho Hawke's Bay Comity Coun.il ]>aving its 0i.70 at Napier, au.-l the Borough Couic-i! its oi'ih-e probably vi. Hastings. IFe would do his utmost to help tlic town in this matter, as it wa.s evident that "some one had blundered." Mr .Uieehau . p-..._ at somo leim'th in support of the n.solution, and resumed his scat amidst continued apphiuso. Air AY. C. Smith, M.H.R., said he felt it his duly to say a few words on the subject before tho mooting. He thought tho opinion that had be on expressed that the present, avus not a proper way (•> effect thoir object was an erroneous one. H" knew of his own .-iiawh' Ige tlutt the- Colonial Treasure:, the head uf the present Government, had said ov. r :tnd over again in tho Ifou-'e. in reference to o'o-si j, ,__.: .li;i_ liad been raised by jn-n il c r-." that the people had not expre-scl any ojanion in the matter, ami he fell sure thi't any expression of opinion from such a meeting as the present one would havo great weight with that honorable gentleman. (Hear, hear, from Air Sheehan.) It a pp. trod to him that, thcro Avere three points that should be brought before the Government. One was that the use oi' the present building Avas granted to tho Corporation by the lato Superintendent of tin l province, and iv his ooinion not, only .should tho building have been handed over but the land also. "It had been well pointed out by Ah- Sheehan that there were no reserves of any laud in Hawke's May, Avhilo 1 her..- were largo reserves for public, purposes in Auckland, and as the town of Napier increased the want of reserves would he felt even more than they wore now. Had the slightest wisdom been shown in the matter of reserves when the provinces Avert; abolished there avou Id have been no necessity at present for a third of the rates imposed, as thero would have been valuable reserves by which means AVater-works aud other necessary works could be provided. Another strong point that should be urged upon the Government was that when the Colonial .Secretary avus in Napier he promised the Mayor licit the Corporation should not bo interfered with. [Air Ciirnoll : But ho lost, liis notes.] Well.be miglit have lost his notes, hut he know Air Dick had a good memory. He thought the resolutions wero altogether too mild in character; at the same time they must remember that thoy would go to Air Dick, Avho was a man of peace, "and wa.s quite different in that respo.-t to Major Atkinson. If the resolutions bad been going to Alajor Atkinson something stronger Avould perhaps be better. '"[Mr .Sheehan: Yes. dynamite] (Laughter.) Although Air Dick lost his notes on the occasion referred to, he believed that Air Dick's memory avus siillici.iitly good to remember a promise of that dosorij>tion, and ho (Air Smith) thought he would carry it, out. Another point to bo brought, under tin; notice of tho Government was that the Corporation had no other land on Avhich to build offices, neither av;is there; any money available for the purpose. He thought the residents of Napier should be unanimous in the matter under discussion, as if thoy Avero not unanimous the Government Avould at once look upon that us a sign of weakness, and would refuse their request altogether. ITo would bo very glad, if the Government did not, iiccedo to their reasonable demands, to fight tho matter out next; session and endeavour to make tbe Government feel that thoy Avoro Avrong. At all events the electors would have the matter in their own hands at the general election. (Hear, hoar.) He thought that in view of the election tho Colonial Secretary would give way. As fatas he (Air Smith) was concerned, ho should be in favor of fighting it out, but in the face of the expression of opinion just given by Air Sheehan, and previously by other legal gentlemen, he thought it Avould not, boAvisc to fight if, out. He concluded by saying be bad much pleasure iv supporting the resolution, as a late resident of the town. If the Government did not agree to it thoy should be made to sulfer for it, and he hoped the Hon. Thomas Dick Avould suffer as soon as possible. (1 letir, hear, and laughter.)

At this stage of the proceedings there Avere loud cries for Crs AleDougull and Cohen, 'whereupon Cr Cohen rose and said it had been decided by tho members of the Council not fo take any part iv the meeting, but to obtain an expression of opinion from tbe ratepayers. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Air T. J. Ryan moved the next result! I ion as i'olloAvs :—" That this meeting desires lo draw the attention of tho Government to the circumstances under Avhich Ike Napier Corporation first occupied tbe rooms in the Provincial Buildings now used as municipal offices, ami hopes, in consideration thereof, aud if it should he found impossible! to confirm tho Council in occupancy of tho rooms, that the Government will cause some other .similar and ecptally adequate accommodation lo be placed at tho disposal of the borough, either by Avay of grant or at a nominal rental for a term of years." He said ho had no intention of speaking to the motion, as ho might commit himself by seditious language. (Laughter.) "Air Largo .seconded the resolution. In doing so he said that ho took an interest in the advancement of the town, and he believed that iv this case the General Government had dealt very unfairly av7li them. Ho thought, if they stood by quietly without taking any action in tbe matter, the Government Avould say they deserved to bo treated as thoy avctc. It avi.s only fair that tho people of Napier should show that thoy resented tho action of tho Government. If ho wore a member of the Council ho should have held on to tho offices until ho avus turned out of them. Thero Avero reserves for public purposes in almost every to.vn in the colony except Napier, and oven iv Timaru there were largo harbor reserves Avhich enabled them to go on Avith the breakwater. It certainly seemed a hard thing that the Corporation should bo turned out of their offices in order to gratify the ambition of a gentleman (Air J. AI. Batham) who happened to bo on a visit to Napier at present. [A voice: That is personal.] Ho mentioned" Air Batham's name because of his presence iv toAvn. Ho considered Air Pallium's aid ion in trying to oust tho Corporation from their offices so as to obtain them for tho Deeds Department was not in tho interests of tho Napier people, hoAvever much it might bo to the interest of his department. He thought it ay as a good thing to have an expression of opinion on this matter outside tho Council.

The Chairman said that, before the question avus put, ho Avould like to say a fcAV Avords in explanation of thepi'esentditHcul.y, and the position in Avhich they stood. In the first place, when the provinces Avero abolished, Hawke's Bay was enabled to hand over a considerable amount of money to'tho General Government, and he believed Hawke's Buy avus ono of tho very few provinces iv Noav Zealand Avhich did hand over any money. This should entitle tho people of this district to consideration at tho hands of tho Government. Then the people of the district built a splendid hospital out of their own pockets, and had until last year maintained it by their own efforts, without troubling the Government. Several other local Avorks had also been carried out Avithout Government assistance. On tho other hand, there were certain things they

had asked the Government to do for them. It Avas not more than eighteen months since ho (the Alayor; first began to take an interest in public matters, but ho found out long ago that tho present Government ay.-is not disposed to assist the town of Napier in any way. The Chamber of Commerce had also askedtho Government to improve the raihvay station, Avhich Avas quite inadequate to tho amount of traffic niion it, but this request was refused. The same thing happened with respect to tho removal of tho goods shed, ami also tho application for additional rolling stock. Then the Government had made encroachments on our public streets in the most valuable portion of the town, and, although six months had elapsed since letters had boon sent to AVellington on the subject, they bad as yet absolutely no acknowledgement of their letters. On the abolition of tho provinces Air Ormond, avlio Avas then Superintendent, made over a certain portion of the Government buildings to tho Corporation. Tho Alayor then entered into tho Avholo question as to the various applications that had been made to vaccato tho" offices, and tho action of the Government towards the town of Napier in other respects, and concluded by hoping the meeting Avould be .successful in its efforts to obtain what they desired. (Applause.)

The resolution avus then put ancl declared carried unnnimously.

Air M'Aneny then moved the third resolution: —-'"That a copy of the correspondence AA-hich in the your 18To passed between Air R. Stuart and Air J. D. Ormouil, then respectively Alayor of the Borough of Napier and Superintendent of the Province of Hawke's Bay, ho for .yarded to tho Government, accompanied by a co_-.y of tho report of this meeting, and the resolutions passed thereat." "He said that at the time the money .vas banded over to tho General Government by Hawke's Bay fiie town was in a fearful state for want of I'iiud-, and the wtitt-r in Dickens street .v.i. it]) to one's knee-.. Auckland, ou the other band, bad incurred large liabilities. Air Sheehan oonvted Air M'Aneny in this matter, and said Auckland had paid every penny of its liabilities. Air Carneil seconded the motion. Iv doing so ho said the present difficulty was solely duo to Air Ormond, Avho had opposed the formation of Napier into a borough, as be said it was premature. He (Mr Ormond; avus (h -n in a position to have furthered the ul .je,.f ( ,t' the deputation .vhich Availed on him, by making provision in tho shape of endowments, but ho tailed to do so.

Air Joint Begg thought that the Government should look on the request of the ratepayers in a favorable light, owing to the large sum .of money ..pent upon AVellingfom

Dr. de Lisle said that ho was a member of the Council in ISB2 when the Government ordered them to vacate the offices, but, nothing was heard of the matter for eighteen months. Another notice avus then served upon thorn, but thoy did not go. Ho thought the Government Avould not carry out their intention Avith respect to those oifiees, and that they Avould not offer an j- opposition to the unanimous aausli of the ratepayers. The'resolution avus carried unanimously. Alt- Sheehan then, in a humorous speech, proposed a vote of thanks to tho chairman, which was seconded by Air AY. C. Smith. Air Cohen here rose and said that, as a member of iho Council, he intended to stop in the offices until ho was turned out. (Laughter.) The motion was put and carried, after Avhich the proceedings ended.