Mr Macarthur's Ashurst Meeting.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 186, 4 July 1884, Page 2

Mr Macarthur's Ashurst Meeting.

ENTHUSIASTIC PROCEEDING'S.

Last evening Mr Macarthur met the electors of Ashurst m the schoolroom, when nearly 100 were present. Mr Cotter took the chair. In addition to the mam subjects' of his political address as delivered at other places, Mr Macarthur hoped he had made himself perfectly under* stood on the local option question. Whether it was an electioneering dodge or not, he did not know, but m some quarters an apparent misunderstanding had got abroad as to his views on that subject. He was favourable to the system of local optiori, but was averse to the working of the present Licensing Act, m which all the power was entirely vested m the hands of committees. He then spoke of the Wanganui Board Endowment Block, which consisted of 25,000 acres of land. The drawbacks which this endowment presented to that locality were great. Sir William Fox had acquired it for ihe Board, but that gentleman . was noc to blame. Their, member, however, did not oppose it, which he should have done. At that time local bodies were receiving 20 per cent., of ail revenue received from land, which would have meant that £5000 would have come to the local body of the Ashurst district with which to make roads. AgauvJthe Government give "33 per cent, of the money derived from lands sold on deferred payment buck to the local body ; so AshuVst had lost m thafc way also. The Harbor Board had asked the County Council to superrise the expenditure of some money m cutting Bft tracks" through the bush to some of the sections, - but the Council would not be a party to such an absurd way of doing things. If he had his way, no reserves like that would be granted, to the detriment of a district. 'Mr U. McKenzie then made, some enquiries re Fiizherbert Road, and was replied to by the candidate ; who after some further enquiries, said :— "Never mind Mr McKenzie you will vote for me I know, and we will get the railway made and you will sell that township." (Laughter). Mr Cotter then moved, and Mr T. Nelson seconded— That this meeting has confidence m Mr Macarthur as a fit and proper representative. .No amendment was moved, and the motion was put and carried unanimously; after which three cheers, and " one cheer more" were heartily given to |Mr Macarthur, and & vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. '-....,.