MR. BROWN'S MEETING, ASHLEY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1380, 18 July 1878, Page 3

MR. BROWN'S MEETING, ASHLEY.

On Tuesday evening a very large meeting of electors gave Mr Brown a most enthusiastic reception at Ashley. MrJ. A. Cunningham, chairman Ashley Road Board, in the chair. At the conclusion of bis speech, Mr Brown said, in reply to Mr John Q-orrie, that the railway management committee had for three days considered the question of the weighing of produce at railway stations, and that from the evidence of officials it seemed quite beyond the power of the department to guarantee weights to farmers, and that the balf-penny per bag was charged not for weighing, which they did in their own interests, but for giving certificate of weights.

To the Chairman—Mr Brown said that there was no chance of the House listening to a proposal to endow Road Boards in the same way as Corporations. The general impression throughout the colony was that the Canterbury Road Boards were very well off.

To Mr Fawcett—There did seem some legal grounds for Government detaining £IOO,OOO for Lyttelton harbor works for the present, but none whatever for £124,000 for surveys. To Mr A. Wilson—He had brought the question of a dray bridge before both the Atkinson and Grey Ministries, but both Mr Carruthers and Mr Maxwell reported against attaching it to the railway bridge, and that it would be cheaper to build a separate one. This was beyond their means at present. Owing to his representations the traffic manager was ordered to reduce the tariff from Ashley to Rangiora. To Mr Truman—Both owner of property and lessee should be compensated if hotel

licenses were withheld by the action of the Local Option Bill.

To an Elector—There was a vast difference between a licensed victualler and a licensed carrier, and the latter had no claim if his occupation were destroyed by the action of the Government, as his fees were paid simply for the use of the roadway. He should not compensate those who would build hotels after the passing of the Local Option Bill, but those who had invested their all under existing laws deserved consideration if the people decided to do away with their licenses.

To Mr Ellwood—The licenses were not granted for more than twelve months, but were renewable without even application, if the provisions of the Aet had been complied with.

Mr Fawcett moved, and Mr Truman seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried most enthusiastically. In returning thanks, Mr Brown referred to the moral support such a warm reception gave to a member, and said that if his constituents did not confide in him he would at once resign.