INDIGNATION MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT WOODVILLE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3911, 1 February 1884, Page 2

INDIGNATION MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT WOODVILLE.

fI'BOSI OUR OWN CO3IHESI'ONI)I!NT.I' A large number of ratepayers responded to the call of the chaiinan of the Road Board, in accordance with a petition signed by over thirty rosidents, in order to consider the late action •of the Groyernmont in removing the resident engineer from the district before the work for which he-was sent here was completed. Mr W. p..Smith, M.H.R., was present. Mr T. Moore, chairman of the Board, was voted to the chair.

Mr Moore, iv opening the meeting , , explained the object for which it was' called, the nature and' importance of it, and exhorted the meeting to express its views without reserve. He stated that Mr W. C. Smith, M.H.R., had made a point of being present, and was sure lie would aid them in carrying , out their wishes. He called upon Mv I , - 1 ? - Fountaine to bring forward tho first resolution. Mr Fountaino stated that tho motion with I which he was entrusted' protested against tho rocenfc action of the Government. Some ten years ago tho Government first an* nounced that the railway to Woodvillij would be pushed on with as little delay aa possible. In 1875 surveyors were sent hero to lay off the line of railway to Woodville. The first salo of Woodville land' probably realised better results than it'would have done had not the immediate pushing on of this line been given' out as a certainty, j He did not think' much comment was required, but was glad to see that the settlers had so > earnestly responded to the appeal, and subinifctod the following resolution:—.''That this meeting protests against the action of the Government in their breach of faith with the district in transferring to Taranaki tho resident engineer, Who?!? services bavejfor some time been promised for the completion oJF the detailed survey of the rfijlway. lino y from Woodyille towards Tg.h.ojwta, a view to a speedy complotion of the thereon."

' The motion was seconded by Mr E. T. Sturdy,.' _ ' ' •.'... ~ 'Mr Smith spoko on the resolution, and was greeted with applause." Hβ was glad to meet the Woodvillo people again,-but sorry lie had liad to come hero on., such a serious matter as that for which they wore met. When first ho had ' heard that 1 the engineer had been removed he thought it was a mistake, but it had turned out to bo too true. He had thoroforo marie a point of attendingj and was prepared to go on , to "Wellington on the following day to personally -.present the , resolutions which would bo passed. (A.pplauso.) Ho., had telegrajmed to the Minister of Public Works asking , what ho intended. to , do-.< in the matter, stating , that tho.,Woodvillo'.settlors were most indignant about the stoppage of the works, and received the following , reply from Mr Mitchelson:—"Engineer withdrawn temporarily; will return,'after exploring Mokau Ijufl of.raUwAy.'V'Jlr Smith thought that this state qi ; tjiivj'gs not satisfactory. This district "was-r-he would -V hot cay more important thanTaranaki';; but he was sure equally bo ; moreover,' the' "Government had promised that this lino should be.atonce.laiileff,>,an4 had not done jjq