PUBLIC MEETING, ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 434, 12 August 1870, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING, ALEXANDRA.

Mr. Fraser, M.P.C. called a meeting of the electors on Saturday night last the Oth August at the Royal Mail Hotel. The Chair was taken by Mr. Theyers, who explained the object of the meeting, and introduced Mr. Fraser. He said his object for calling this meeting was, to give an account of his stewardship, and that the reason he had not met the electors before, was that there was nothing to talk about, with the exception ofthe Hundreds Regulation Act, which he considered the best Act ever introduced into the Council for the benelit of the goldfields, but was in favor of increasing the size of Hundreds from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand acres and would not be particular respecting the quantity of good agricultural land in the sain Hundreds ; he did not believe in the compensation clause as regards artificial grasses, but at the same time thought the runhohler was better under the goldfields Act, than under the Hundreds Regulation Act, was in favor of Railways, hut not [at £20,000 per mile, would like to see a railway from Dunedin to the Clutha. Was in favor of the Government letting out the repairing of our impassable bad roads in small contracts, and believed the roads would be kept in better repair .at one half the cost. Was a great believer in the road, via Tuapeka, and was quite sure it was the best road, and ultimately would be main road from Dunedin to the Lakes. Mr. Fraser having taken his seat, the chairman intimated that if anyone had any questions to ask he was prepared to answer them. In answer to a question by Mr. Iversen, he said he cansidered the Hundreds Act preferable to the leasing system, but as regards allowing land sharks to purchase all the land, he said it could not be prevented, and cited Victoria, with their Land Act, as an instance? Mr Chappie asked if he was in favor of deferred payments for land. Yes- Was he in favor of allowing the moneys paid as rent by the Agricultural Leaseholders to be placed to their credit as part of the purchase money. He was in favor of that, as he considered the land was not worth more than 20s. per acre, but was afraid we should never get it. Mr. Chappie then asked if Mr. Fraser was aware that a Memorial was forwarded to Wellington, and got referred to the Waste Lands Committee, respecting the last question, and whether he know that the said Committee had refused the prayer of said memorial; and also at the saVne time giving the runholder the right to select six hundred and forty acres, the cost of which was not to exceed 20s. per acre. Mr. Fraser said it was news to him, but could see no harm in giving the runholder the privilege, as they would take it up round their homesteads, consequently taking the good and bad together, and that it Was worth no more than 203. per acre. A vote of thanks to Mr. Fraser was moved and seconded,

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