PUBLIC MEETING AT SHEFFIELD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1779, 3 November 1879, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING AT SHEFFIELD.

A meeting of the electors of Sheffield and the vicinity was held on Friday night in the new Xoad Board office. Mr Eossiter, who was .elected chairman, said that at the request of aomo of the residents in the district, ho had convened tho meeting for the purpose of representing to Mr E. Q. Wright, their member, Ahe requirements of tho district, as a circular he had received from that gentleman stated 'hat he should be glad if tho people would express their wishes. Mr Brown stated that in taking the Oxford and "Teinuku line direct from Oxford, instead of by the Oxford bush, the authorities were making a.great mistake, as the line, if taken by tho bush, would be Jure to pay. He should like to hear from the meeting the best route, as he was certain .that as at present laid out it would not be bo remunerative as if it akirtod the Oxford bush, passed through Sheffield, through Russell's Plat, aver the Pig Saddle, and up the Wairiri Valley. There was another item also that might be considered, and that was tho .question of bridges. -There was abridge over the Selwyn at Ooalgate, And another in the course of erection about a mile higher up at Glentunnel, while the , JKowai Bush, which bad been settled, ion

years, had no such accommodation. He moved the following resolution —" It is the opinion of this meeting that the best route for the Oxford and Temuka Railway is by way of Russell's Fiat, as it is, this meeting believes, a larger amount of unsold waste lands and of mineral traffic would bo available to recoup the cost than by any other way." Mr Rutlcdge had great pleasure in seconding the motion. Dr. Hector had said that there was a large and varied amount of minorals in Ruesel's Flat, and tho proposed route would take in the thirteen mile busb. Dr. Meadows said Mr Wright had stated that tho proposed route was not suitable to the district it would pass through, but that he (Mr Wright) would recommend feeders. But he (Dr. Meadows) said would "be "bleeders not feeders." The railway through Russell's Flat must pay, and it was a grand scheme. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried without a dissentient. Mr Rutledge proposed and Mr Robertson seconded — " That the resolution now passed coucerning the Oxford and Temuka railway bo forwarded to tho member for the district." This was carried unanimously. Mr McMillan proposed and Mr Henry seconded—" That Mr Wright bo requested to uso his best endeavors to secure a division of the district at the Rakaia, to enable a member to be returned for this portion, as we have nothing in common with the district south of the Rakaia." The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Lord proposed tbe following:—" "Understanding that a petition has gone to Mr Wright requesting him to use his endeavors to have],a court house at Kowai Pass, this meeting considers that the present court house accommodation is sufficient for tho district." Mr Lilloy, seconded by Mr Rutledge, moved as an amendment —" That the district is well accommodated by having the court house at Sheffield, being central for all parts of the district." Carried. Mr Rossiter here left the chair, which was taken by Mr Colthart, and'the former gentleman proposed, and Mr R. I*. Polo seconded —" That this meeting considers it desirable that a public analyst should bo appointed, that farmers should be enabled free of cost to ascertain the constituent properties of the soil which they are cultivating for the better understanding the most suitable manures and erops." Carried unanimously. Mr Rossiter moved, and Dr. Meadows seconded—" That this meeting oonsiders it desirable to recommend to tho consideration of the Assembly the desirability of encouraging Road to plant and sow forest trees in their district', and that where sections of waste land are available the Boards may be _ endowed with a certain amount in their respective districts for the purpose of forming plantations." Carried unanimously. Mr Rossiter moved —" That this meeting considers it desirable that power be given to Road Boards to subsidize other local public bodies, such as Cemetery and Domain Boards, provided that such subsidy should be spent under the supervision of the Road Board for the purpose of planting forest trees." This was duly seconded and carried. About sixty ratepayers attended tho meeting. Every resolution was discussed fully, and several things for the benefit of the district proposed, such as making the Post Office a money order office and savings Bank, obtaining a mid-day train, &c. The customary vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.