INDIGNATION MEETING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1740, 4 May 1906, Page 2

INDIGNATION MEETING.

SEDDONLANDERS IN A STATE OF WBATE.

U.SS.CO. CAUGHT IN A SQUALL,

(Pti Press Association.) Westport, last night. An indignation meeting of the publio was held ia the Town Hall to-day to protest against the unsatisfactory passenger service arrangements of the Uaion Company at this port.' The Mayor presided, It wsb pointed out that vessels had oal’ed at the port going south, and after detentions at Greymouth had sailed direct from that port for Wellington. Under this unsatisfactory arrangement no passenger steamer had left Westport for the north for tbe past nine days, Resolutions were carried as follows (1) That for a loDg time past, especially of late, the interests of Westport have been unduly subse,vient to those of Greymouth, and this meeting emphatically protests against suoh treatment, and pledges itself to use all endeavors to obtain such consideration for tho convenience of t-avellers a 3 the importance of Westport and distiiot demands ; (2) that tho conditions at present in reference to State coal carriage should be made to suit passeuger carriage to and from these parts, and that Government bo requested to put on a special passongor steamer; (3) that in the opinion of tho meeting all passenger rates should bo declared, and any company reducing its rates to crush out opposition be prevented raising the rates again without the permission of the Governor-in-Ooun-oil; (4) that the member for the district be requested to use bis best endeavors for the abolition of a'l conditions on the back (or otherwise) of freight or passenger tickets whioh are not in the interests of passengers or consignees, and to remove ail conditions improperly imposed by Buoh a monopoly as the U.S.S. Company, as they are subversive of equal rights of the people, and that any suoh conclusion shall by law be determined ultra vires; (5) that Government be u'ged to push forward tbe construction of the Westport-Inangabua junction of tbe railway, especially by making a speedy beginning with the construction of a bridge aoross tho Buller river.