BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 835, 19 April 1878, Page 3

BLACKS.

VDBLIO 1 MEETING-. * A public meetiug was held at the Black’s Hotel on Saturday evening last for the purpose of considerii g and adopting the best means of hastening the construction of the Bridge over the Manuherikia river at Blacks lower,.croasing, and for other business Mr Barren took the Chair, and after reading' the notice convening the meeting, he called on Mr Fitzgerald, the convener, to address the meetiug. Mr Fitzgerald then proceeded to point out the necessity that existed for a bridge across the river, more especially since a Flour Mill was now being erected at Spottis Creek, which would lead to greatly increased traffic over the river. They were well aware of the dangerous state of the river during the flood season, the more so of late from the changing and deepening of the ford, and that several narrow escapes from loss of life and property had occurred of late. He pointed out that this bridge was not required, as some seemed to think, merely, nor even chiefly, for the convenience of the residents of Ophir, as it would be necessary fot the Settlers of Ida Valley if no Ophir existed. Too much credit could not be given- to our Member for his exertion for the welfare of the district, but he required the support of the ratepayers, more particularly when he encountered opposition, as in the present instance, from a quarter whence it was least to be expected. He would not say that this opposition arose from jealousy or any such paltry notion, but it certainly looked very much like it. Mr John Pitches then gave a brief statement of the estimated revenue and expenditure of the County Council for the year, and said that a sum of L 3.500 had been placed on the Estimates for this bridge, and instructions given to the Engineer to prepare plans and specifications, which doubtless would have been done before this, but for the unfortunate illness of that gentleman. He quite expected, however, that they would bo ready by the next regular sitting of the Council, and he had very little doubt of being able to get the work proceeded with after that.

The following motions were then put and carried:—

Ist, —That a traffic bridge over the Manuherikia river at Blacks is urgently needed, in view of the increased traffic certain to arise to and from the Mill now being erected at Spottis Creek, and for the protection of life and property. 2-—That this Meeting views with alarm the opposition of the Members of the Matakanui riding to the erection of a bridge over the river at Blacks, and hereby resolve to address the Council by Memorial signed by the ratepayers of both ridings, praying that the work be carried out as originally proposed, and as speedily as possible. It was resolved that the Memorial, when signed, be handed to Mr Bitches for presentation, and the following gentlemen were appointed a Committee to draw up the Memorial and procure signatures, viz.—Messrs Cavan, Gray, Burreu, Thompson, Macintosh and Fitzgerald. After some discussion, in the course of which, Mr Pitches passed a very warm culogium on the Chairman of the Council, it was proposed, by Mr Cavan, seconded by Mr Cairns and carried : - That this meeting condemns the action of those members of the Council who were instrumental in reducing the Chairman’s salary, anil who are opposing the building of the Council’s Offices at Clyde, and would recommend the raising of the former to its original amount, and is of opinion that Clyde i's the most central and suitable place for erecting the offices of the Council. An amendment to the first part of the motion, by Mr Fitzgerald, to the effect that the question of the Chairman’s Salary bo left for the Council to decide, or to the general body of the ratepayers, was lost for want of a seconder. A vote of thanks to ** our Member ” was then passed, and a vote of thanks to the Chair terminated the proceedings.