Meeting at Pemberton.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 193, 16 December 1893, Page 2

Meeting at Pemberton.

Last night a large number of ratepayers met in the Pemberton schoolroom for the purpose of disoussing the bridging of the Bangitikei river at Otara. Mr J. Stent occupied the chair, and in his introductory remarks referred to the necessity of having a bridge erected at this place. Mr U. McGregor was then called upon to address the meeting, and in a lengthy address referred to the present and future requirements of the ratepayers and the public in this district. To make the district more valuable and more prosperous thoy must have a bridge. For years past the public have forded the river at a very great risk of life, besides at times, after travelling some many miles to the ford, have found it unfordable, and by this means have lost time and money. This alone was an inconvenience to the settlers, but something far worse than this had happened. He referred to the death of persons who had been drowned while crossing here. This bridge was, properly speaking, the only aad best outlet for the settlers. He thought the bridge ought to be built by tho Government. (Hear, hear.) Just tho other day the settlers at Ohingaiti held a meeting to discuss the very same work, and a resolution was passed asking the Government to take steps in the matter. A deputation was formed to go to Wellington to interview the Minister for Public Work. A similar meeting had been held in the Sandon Small Farm Block an Thursday night last Before proceeding further with his address, Mr McGregor read the following telegram from Mr J. Steyens, M.H.R.. ra. ceived by Mr J. Ivess, " Interviewed the Premier re said bridge. Informed me local authorities have not made application If local authorities make application Government will give most favorable consideration. Ifno application before 31st March vote will lapse. Hope local bodies will not forget duty to public." The first part of this telegram was quite hollow, as he (Mr Stevens) must have known or heard how often the local bodies had tried to obtain sufficient help from the Government, and each time had had a part promise. In fact, the idea is very prevalent that a large sum had been voted for the bridge, but such, he was sorry to Bay, was not the oase. He thought if the Council struck a rate over all property it would not be sufficient to cover the cost of erecting a bridge. Mr MoKinnon was of the opinion that the Government ought to meet the Council halfway in their expenses. From Mr Saddoa's epeeohes, he felt inclined to say that he (Mr Seddon) was fqoling the ratepayers in this district, Mr J. D. McGiegor was quite sure the bridge ought to be erected, but we must have roads, or a road to get to it, and that alone would cost £3000, while the bridge would cost about .£4,000. There were ten miles oi road to the bridge, two of which were formed. Messrs Wisdom, Hammond, and Marshal), also spoke in most favorable terms witb regard to the bridge. It was decided to ask the Kiwitea Road Board to appoint a member of that body to go to Wellington with the proposed deputation from various parts of the district, viz , Ohingaiti, Sandon Small Farm Block, and Hautapu Ward of Kiwitea Road Board. Proposed by Mr J D. McGregor, seconded by Mr F Pemberton, That Mr J. Stent go to Wellington on Wednesday next as their (the ratepayers') representative, to interview the Minister of Public

Works. — Carried.