KAIAPOI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 626, 6 November 1858, Page 5

KAIAPOI.

On Monday last a large number of the residents in Kaiapoi met their representatives at the Kaiapoi Hotel for the purpose of consulting withithemlas to: what steps should be taken to bring the wants of £he town,arid .district in" the way of public works, &c, before.the: Council. v" Mr. Wym>e, being called to the chair, stated the object of. ;the njeeting; and suggested that the most important- subjects for consideration were,—-the conservation of the river, .the estab-v lishment -of a- bank* '■■■ the obtaining a free bridge, and theimprovement of the roads. Mr, DAYstated that he was acquainted with all tho vivera. ■in. New Zealand and he could confidently- say that the Waimakaviri was the best; but However good a river might be it was always necessary that it should be attended to. In proof of this he instanced several cases Where obstructions had occurred ;of a permanent juitiire, whiqh might easily have been prevented by iiimely attention. He considered that it was niostldeHirable that a person should be appointed to ace that no-obstructions were allowed to, accumulate in the river, and to report when i necessary on any changes in the bar, etc. Mr. Dobds said that the boat method of obfainirig so important im object would bo to pro Hunt a ofcrong moraorialto the Government.'

Mr. Blakiston thought it was not sufficient :to leave a matter of this kind in the hands of ithe members without strengthening their hands by a memorial or petition. He thought that data should be furnished to them by their constituents. If a strong memorial was addresse'l •to the Government he would present it anil pledge himself to support it to the utmost of his power. There appeared to be a strong wish on the part of the Government to disconnect themselves from the people, which ought to be' resisted, as it was their duty to act for the people.

The following gentlemen were then nominated to act as a committee to obtain statistics, and draw up a petition—viz. Messrs. Wylde, Day, and Beswick,

Mr. Beswiek then spoke on the subject of forming. Kaiapoi into a port of entry. He was able to state that the Collector of Customs was .quite prepared to forward a measure of this , nature, and that the firm with which he was i connected proposed building a bonded sto,re immediately. .0^ the subject of a branch bank ;he could state that Mr. Palmer had expressed his willingness to forward the views of the inhabitants of the town, and he (Mr. Beswiok) : would suggest that a deputation should wait upon Mr. Palmer to urge the subject. ' : The following gentlemen were then nominated for this purpose:^—Messrs. Blakiston, Cookson, Black, Higgiris, and Beswick. Mr. Blakiston thought it most important that a free bridge should be established. Government had more money in the provincial chest than they knew how to expend, and their first object ought to be to open up free communication. The toll on the bridge was a severe tax.; and besides another bridge was required in a more central position. The Government ought to build a bridge where the ferry is situated. Dr. Dudley considered the toll on the bridge an unbearable nuisance. A memorial had been drawn up urging the Government to purchase the bridge; which he read to the meeting. Mr. Day was opposed to this. Why buy the present bridge when the same money will build another ? The signatures to the petition for the present bridge were obtained under false pretences ; it being represented that the bridge was to be built at the ferry. Mr. Beswick, Mr. Packwood, and others confirmed this statement. It was then proposed by Mr. Day—That the Government be urged to provide a free bridge on the line of the direct North Boad, and that a petition be drawn up to that effect. This was seconded by Dr. Dudley and carried unanimously. After a vote-of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting separated. ' ~