PUBLIC MEETING.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 393, 21 July 1868, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A meeting, called by the Road Board, Avas held last evening, in the Star Hotel, for the purpose of considering how the money was to be raised for repairing the embankment and the Boundary street dam. Mr Fox explained the object of the meeting, and asked them to elect a chairman. Mi* Dk Costa was called to the chair. Mr Whall was sorry to see that the majority of the inhabitants who were most deeply interested in the protection of the town had not thought fit to attend the meeting. What they had come together to consider was the perilous position iii which the embankment was now placed by the break down of the piece of the old work. The town was now in a favmore perilous position than it ever was previously. This being tho case, the Road Board resolved to call a public meeting, as their funds were now at a very low ebb, aud they could not carry on the necessary works without assistance from tlie inhabitants. The outstanding liabilities of the Board would now swamp tho revemie, as at present received from the Government, for tho next six or seven months. Two works of urgent necessity now required to be done, at a cost of over LSOO, and this money would have to be raised by the inhabitants. Either they would have to be taxed, or an indemnity would have to be given to the Board, guaranteeing them against all monies they might expend on these works. Mr Da vies, after some remarks, moved — " That a Committee be appointed to draw up a petition to the Road Board, and get it signed by one-half the inhabitants, asking them to strike a rate on all town property sufficient to covor the cost of the necessary works." Mr Blaokmore seconded the motion. A long and irrelevant discussion ensued aa to a recent decision in the Magistrate's Court, whereby it was held that the Upper Township was private property ; and several gentlemen argued that the rate coidd not be enforced there. The resolution was put and lost. Mr Ashton moved— " That in the opinion of this meeting, the decision of the Resident Magistrate with regard to the power of the Road Board over Mawhera Quay is contrary so all reasonable ideas, it being a public road and thoroughfare belonging to the Government, and under the rule of the Road Board for public use. " Mr Fitzgerald seconded. The Chairman objecte.d to the resolution, as they had not met to pass a vote of censure on the Resident Magistrate. After a discussion, Mr Parkinson moved an amendment — " That in the opinion of this meeting the resolution is out of place, and ought not to be put." Tim waa carried. Mr Da vies then moved — " That in the opinion of this meeting the action of the Road Board in town matters generally deserves the thanks of the inhabitants, and in the present perilous position of the town we recommend a special rate to be struck by the Board to raise a sufficient sum to make good the road at Boundary street, and carry the protective works up to the wharf — such sum not to exceed L 500." Mr Heron seconded the motion. In answer to questions, Mr Whall assured tho meeting that the Road Board would not consent to a rate being enforced in one part of the town if it could not b« levied equally and fairly on tonaments on both side: . Mr Wickes strongly supported the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Heron moved — " That a committee, consisting of Messrs Davies, Blackmore, Parkinson, Glenn, and Morton, be appointed to draw up a petition to the Road Board, as required by the previous motions." This was seconded by Mr Dale, and - carried. Tho meeting adjourned.