WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 8 April 1867, Page 81

WAIROA.

Steam Navigation Company. Our Wairoa friends—how that they have a voice in the conduct of affairs, in . the person of Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmore, their newly elected M.P.C.—are making a stir. They have lately held a public meeting, E, Towgood, Esq. in the chair, when the sub? ject was/considered as to the advisability* of forming, a Steam Navigation Company. The chairman expressed his conviction that steam communication was wanted to make Wairoa flourish; that without it, the district would never be worth anything. He pointed out the uncertainty of sailing vessels, and the impassable state of the roads; and proceeded to enumerate the many advantages, direct and indirect, which would accrue to Wairoa from the Steam Navigation Company, should one be formed. He said he had ascertained from persons more competent than himself to form an opinion on the matter* that the cost of a suitable steamer would be about £3,.000. He concluded by reminding the meeting that “Unity was Strength,” and by expressing his hope that half the necessary capital would bo raised in their own district. The following resolutions were then put and carried unanimously:—

1. That as it is considered necessary to form a Steam Navigation Company at the Wairoa, in conjunction with the' settlers of Napier, a share list be forthwith opened. 2. That the capital required he raised in shares of £lO each.

3. That the meeting, fully agreeing to the urgent necessity of procuring a steamer between Napier and Wairoa, have resolved to open a share list, with the proviso that the balance of uusubscribed capital be taken up by the Napier people, and that all matters in connection with the steamer be settled at a general meeting to be held at Napier, of which due notice will be required by the Wairoa subscribers; and that if the greater part of the capital be subscribed in Wairoa, the general meeting be held there. 4. That the proposed steamer he insured. 5. That two share lists be opened at Wairoa—the one for the town to be left in Mr Finlayson’s charge, and that for the country in charge of Ser-geant-major Smyth, Military Settlers, —and that Mr Towgood be requested to communicate with the Napier people in connection with the saw object.. 6. That the thanks of the meeting are due to Mr Towgood for his able conduct in the chair.

We understand that already about £I,OOO has been subscribed by the Wairoa people, and that Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore, as representative of the district in the Provincial Council, has been requested to petition the G-overnment for a subsidy of £I,OOO a year until the scheme should obtain a firm footing, which he (Lieut.-Col. Whitmore) promised to do. This is a scheme well worthy the attention of the Napier public, and we trust to see the remaining capital raised here.

Wairoa School. —There are two trustees for the shod at Wairoa, one of whom resides at Napier, and other at Mahia. This the Wairoa folk do not relish, and at a meeting lately held, at which Lieut.-Col. Whitmore, M.P.C., attended, a resolution was put and carried to the effect that the present trustees be requested to resign, and that two residents at Wairoa be ap pointed in their place. The Wairoa Pilotage. —At the meeting referred in the foregoing paragraph (which, we may remark, was a meeting held for the purpose of enabling the Wairoa settlers to lay their grievances before their new M.P.C.), a resolution was passed to the effect that a European pilot be appointed for Wairoa, at a salary sufficient for him to live upon,—alleging as their reason, that the present pilot, Toha, a native,' was nearly always absent from the pilot station. The Eerry at Wairoa. —The Wairoa people have requested Lieut.-Col. Whitmore, M.P.C., to petition the G-overnment to increase the salary of the ferryman at Wairoa, so that be might be enabled, free of charge, to convey across school-children who reside on the opposite side of the river, some of whose parents can ill afford to pay the fare every day.

The Great'Eeast. —This event had not come off iip to latest dates. There had been a good deal of feasting on a small scale going on, however, and those who were present'speak very highly of the manner in which the eatables, &c., were placed before visitors, and of the hospitality shown by the natives towards their Pakelia. friends. The great feast itself) and the torero’would not probably come off until Tuesday (to-morrow) or Wednesday.

. Lietjt.-Colonel Whitmore seems to be in great favour at Wairoa, —the people generally seeming to have the greatest confidence in him. At the conclusion of the late meeting, cheers, with three times three, wore given for the gallant colonel.

' Trade is reported as being exceedingly brisk at present, and four or five new buildings are going up in the township of Clyde.

Since the above was in type, we . have received -the - following, communication from our own correspondent:— l •A, meeting was held at the -Clyde Hotel on 'the 3rd April for the purpose of. inviting Colonel Whitmore to meet the residents, of the Wairoa district., . - - . o , i. , Mr Towgqod. having -been balled to-'.tjbe chair;, CoLyWhitmore'; to the meeting,. and * stated-that/ that; gentleman

was present at the request of the constituency, and would be happy to give atten* tiou to any suggestions emanating-from any elector, or non-elector about to become an elector, or; any resident; and to answer any questions that such gentlemen might desire to ;ask-him. ' ‘ / Colonel Whitmore then stated his desire to be guided in' his political conduct, by the wishes of his constituency, and begged that they would supply him with-information of their wants, &c. After considerable discussion, and much opposition from a gentleman who called himself a “deputation,”— , Mr Walker, of Mahia, (to. cut short a profitless discussion), moved “That this meeting was a public meeting, and the gentleman in opposition not a deputation./ Mr Single seconded, and common sense carried'the motion, which, thus disposed of, business proceeded. Mr Carroll moved, and Major Eraser seconded, “That Colonel Whitmore be requested to endeavour to obtain the appointment of a European pilot in place of the one now iu charge, whose qualifications were not equal to the proper execution of his duties.” -

Mr Carroll proposed “That in the opinion of tliis meeting all public works to be executed in tho district should be submit* ted to public tender ” This was seconded by Mr M'Namee, and unanimously carried. Mr Einlayson moved “ That it is desirable that the Impounding Act be proclaimed within the district,” which was seconded by Mr Carroll and carried. Mr Carter next moved “ That the Chairman should write to the two non-resident trustees of the Wairoa School, asking them to-resign in favor of resident trustees.” The meeting endorsing the request, the Chairman kindly promised to do so. Mv Carter then moved “ That it would be desirable for our member to endeavour to procure some small increase of salary to the ferryman, so that children living on north side of .river should bo crossed to school gratis.” Colonel Whilmora would attend to this.

Mr Locke proposed That our member be requested to take steps to procure the removal of the punt from the Ngaruroro to Clyde.” Mr Prentice seconded the proposition. After a good deal of opposition from Mr Carroll, —which called for an explanation from the Provincial Engineer, who was present, and who kindly volunteered the information sought, concerning practicability, expense, &c.,—the question was put and carried. Mr Thorpe proposed “That some steps be taken to procure the erection of a bridge across the Turiroa creek, and that the road tbence be improved.” Seconded by Mr Peter Walker, and carried unanimously.

Colonel Whitmore said that in his opinion a most important omission had been made by all in neglecting the great question of steam communication. Large sums of money had been paid into the public treasury out of sale of lauds in the district, and as the difficulty of making a good road would be enormous, and beyond the means of the province at present, we are fairly entitled to ask for considerable assistance from the Government in procuring good and sufficient steam communication between the capital and the river. At the suggestion of Col. Whitmore, the matter was put in the form of a motion by Major Eraser, who proposed “That the residents in the Wairoa get up a petition to obtain a subsidy from the Provincial 4 - Government for a term of years in furtherance of the speedy establishment of thoroughly good steam communication between Napier and .Wairoa, ia lieu of further expenditure of public monies on an overland route.” Seconded by Mr Einlayson, and carried nem. con. Business being pretty well exhausted, Major Eraser proposed, and Mr Worgan seconded, “That Colonel Whitmore enjoys the confidence of both the electors and non-electors, of the district,” which was carried unanimously. Col. Whitmore rose iu acknowledgment, aud after thanking the meeting for their courtesy to him, moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which terminated tho proceedings.

The Wreck of the Montmorency.— Yesterday, being of one the finest and calmest days we have known for several months, was taken advantage of by the purchaser of the wreck of the Montmorency to commence operations in the way of recovering the residue of the cargo. We understand that several packages of goods were saved, bud little if any the worse for their exposure to the heat of tho fire, and subsequent submersion; and believe that a large quantity still exists there in as comparatively sound a state. ... We learn from the Wellington papers that his Excellency the Governor had returned to that city. The detachment of the 12th Regt. stationed in Napier proceeded to Auckland in the s.s. Lord Ashley last evening. Tho Wairoa detachment will we-presume bo despatched as soon an-opportunity presents itself after their arrival in Napier. Sawn Timber.— The timber market is fairiy glutted. During the last seven days upwards of 120,000 feet has been imported into tho Province; and-further shipments may shortly he expected. .As will be'seen by advertisements, Mr Johu Stuart will hold an extensive sale of timber on Saturday next, ut noon,—being the cargoes of the schooner Mavisi and the cutters Rose and Ringleader.

...Erom Hokitika welearn that the first tea meeting of the Presbyterian body-was held in their new Ohuroh, Stafford i et., on Moadtiy, Marchlß, at-7,p.in. / ' J./- /S /