The Counties Act.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 68, 13 February 1883, Page 2

The Counties Act.

PUBLKJ ALbiETING.

A public meeting wa3 held in the Town Hall last evening, for the purpose «f obtaining the sanction of the r"atPf ay*rs to the course proposed to be token at a meeting of delegates from U e various loc'4 borUes in the three northern ridings of the Manawatu County, held some time peviously. Mr Skerman was voted to the chair, and explained what had been done at the meeting of delegates, and the cottrue proposed to be adopted to obtain the end in view, namely, to obtain a separation of the three "ridings of Taonui, Manchester, and Kiwitea from j the present Manawatu County, by i mean3 of a pelition to the Government. It was for them to endorse the action of the delegates, Mr Macarthur said it would perhaps appear strange that he should bean opponent of the county system after having- taken such an active part hints I administration j"'buton the first occasion he had voted against bringing the Act into separation along with the three" northern members, but as they were outvoted he had sinco endeavoured 1 to mate the best of a bad bargain, ife considered the Council and Highways Board were doing the same work, and it would be best to retain -the. Boards -and do away with the Council, as the former was the best form of government and wonld give more general satisfac*. tion. He then readthe petition pro'-' posed to be. sehtto'the Governor,.. to obtain a separation from the southern portion of the County, ; and moyed 1 following resolution :-r-

"That in the opinion i of -ttiis meetingit is desirable that steps be taken at onee to separate the three fidingß"'6i Taonai, Manchester, and Kiwitea f jom the Manawatu County for the, purpose of suspending the Counties Alpt,' a Q *f working under J ttio Highways and Town Boards only." . „.,... Seconded, by Mr D. Walker, andcarried unanimously, MrLintbn said ho had not ! come there to say anythin i against the County system, as he ! believed that the Mana« watu County Council had done good work, and was one of the best in the ' Colony. But by managing their own affairs they/ would obtain 1 gobd : roads, which meant prosperity and success tO; the distrust. „He proposea :,— . , , x { « Th^t on, the requisite, num^be,^ of signatures .being obtained, a : deputationfof delegates from the ridings; of 5 aonui, Mar'chester; ahd> Kiwitea be authorised to go to Wellington to interview the Hon. Walter Johnstbn; J and : bbtain his assistance aijd :i influenca to press the matter on the favorable consideration of the Government." ; ; ;' . I j f/i ' Spc'on<i(ed by Mr Edwards,' and carried unanimously. ; Mr James Buick then proposed .thatMr Linton be appointed delegate for the rabnui Ttidiri?. Carried. ''■*'■' The , petition was then signed by nearl* all thone presont, and the meeting disper»d. .