Public Meeting.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1719, 28 May 1886, Page 2

Public Meeting.

| Concluded.] RAILWAY STATION,

Moved by Mr J. P. Leary, seconded by Mr Buick — That the residents of this district again urge the Government to provide a suitable railway station. Th« present building being far too small for our increasing traffic, and the passenger platform being so very inadequate, that during the daily crush of the public, accidents appear to be courted by the RaUway Department. Mr J. P. Leary moved this resolution. He said the matter was not altogether new to the public it had been repeatedly raised before tbat evening. The question of a better and more commodious station had been the subject of discussion on more than two occasions at public meetings held m that town. The matter had been referred to the member then representing them, but he was not one of them and seemed to caro very little for us, as he considered apparently he had done his duty by merely laying their wants before the House. They had now got a member who was willing and also 'anxious, to support and further their -claims and place then m the best 'light before the Government. He also would urge the necessity and reasonableness of their applications. They were not asking for something they were not entitled to. Somo people there were who would look upon it as not of very much importance. But bnsiness men would say it was of the utmost importance to the town and surrounding districts. There was everything to gain by having such buildings as ~ they now require. When strangers come here aud see the miserable buildings representing their railway station they naturally conclude that the surrounding district is m keeping. They wanted strangers passing through their township to be impressed with its appearance. They wanted something they should have had years aeo. The railway employes were, he believed, obliging and courteous to the public, but if they were to preserve the efficiency of the department m their midst and if the community were to be protected from accidents, the present buildings must give place to better and more commodious ones. Their public buildings should have an artistic appearance. He quite agreed with Mr Bell as to the impression caused to be made on strangers by first appearances. The Government should m his opinion so conduce to the prosperity of the town by setting an example instead of having to be requested so often to act m this direction. Mr. Buick seconded the motion. He imagined the buildings from their appearance were of such an ace as to warrant his believing they were erected at a time when they were considered good enough for the town. The motion was carried unanimously.

FOXTON WHARFAGE CHARGES. That the charges now collected at the Foxton wharf be put on a level with those of other wharves m this island, so as to enable us to transact our business as cheaply as our neighbors. The Mayor stated that this motion whs fathered by Mr Wylds. If some one would not take it up the matter would drop, Mr Linton said he would move the resolution with pleasure rather than it should fall through. He did not know why they should pay Is impost on every ton wharfed m Foxton and be thus imposed on when no other town In New Zealand had to suffer the tax. The railway authorities might say perhaps that the reason was because the line was not paying. He, however, believed that this might be one of the reasons it did not pay. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Mr R. S. Abraham, before the motion was put to the meeting, remarked that he had noticed the other day the question had been asked by a member m the House and a very unsatisfactory reply given. Their action that evening he had no doubt would strengthen lis hands if the motion was earned. Mr Sly said at the present time produce was low, lower than ever known before, but the amount of produce to be turned out m the future was considerable. The farmers were now prohibited by the railway.tariff and wharfage. They had to pay 5s 2d per ton by rail and Is at Foxton, and then compete with Canterbury and other large centres. The produce m the future would be turned out m thousands of tons, and unless the farmer was supported and the tariff reduced the district would suffer as well as the individual.

RETURNING OFFICER. That the Government be requested to apnoint a resident of Palmerston Returnins; Officer for this electorate, m place of the one who now resides m Martnn. Mr Walflesrave m moving this resolution said the matter was not of so much importance as others before them ; but still they were most of them aware that the present officer for the Manawatu district resided m Marton. It was not at all the correct thing; that this should be so. Taranaki, Wanganui, and all otSer counties had their resident Beturn--ing Officers and why should not Palmorston. Mr West seconded the motion. He remarked that . one reason why they should have a resident officer was that he would be better able to have a knowledge of the electors. — Carried unanimously. RVILWAY TARIFF ON WOOL. Mr Sly proposed that the railway charge of 3d per bale on wool should be brought under the notice of the Government. It was a small item but one of considerable moment to f aimers. Mr R. S. Abraham thought that as they would be shortly dealing with the Manawatu Railway Company, and not the Government it would he as well to leave the question alone. The motion was withdrawn. THE ROAD BOARD ACT. Proposed by Mr A. H. Walker, seconded by Mr &. M. Snelson — That the Government be requested to amend the Road Board Act, m the matter of any road leading from one centre to another and passing through the jurisdiction of the separate Road Districts, as m the case of the road leading from Palmerstan via Fitzherberfc 'to the Manawatu Gorge joining- the Napier Road, empowering one of either Boards to take over the control of the whole of such road. He did not think that the importance of the road was sufficiently known m Palmerston. It was of no importance personally to the speaker but was of the most vital importance to the district. Itwould be no use to send the petition to their member as- its success would be against the interests of his employers. Some person m Wellineton might be got to support and push it forward. The road he might say was the one to the Gorge via Fitzherbert and he might say that one of the greatest advantages gained by having it opened would be the fact that whatever happened at the ferry or to any bridge which might be erected there, would not stop the thoroughfare to. Palmerston as this road would take . passengers and heavy traffic through to Napier without obstruction. The question had been advocated long enough.. One man had stated that if it were made it would mean his fencing six miles of property. Such a . statement was all nonsense, and was merely an excuse. He, however, had already fenced one side so that this excuse was not now to be made. However, he believed that that person had withdrawn his objection. If that road were opened it would be against the interests of the Manchester Block, but he would like to know why they should suffer on that account. Mr Snelson seconded the resolution ; but he could not see why it should not be sent to their member ; he was sure Mr Macarthur would do what he could ; at present the Act altogether prohibited them m getting anything. Three-fourths of the ratepayers would have to vote m favor of it, before anything could be done, and the most of these ratepayers were abseotees, so that it would be impossible to get their vote ; he believed the olauie of the Act would be altered thii vision,

favor of the opening up of the road. He concluded his remark by asking those present if they ever m their travels, or if they never travelled, did they ever hear of one man^or two men saying to their fellows i^t willtiofc allow you Jo trftTel on the Queen's highway." This, however, was what had been done virtually m the present case. Anyone driving on the road, if they wanted to go to the Gorge, three miles distant, JiacTnow to come to Paluaerston, a distance of 10 miles, and then 8 miles to the Gorge Perry. Fitzherbert was essentially * ~ sheep grazing country, and Napier the greatest stock market m the North I Island ; and the keeping shut this road was one of the things their member had done for them,' and yhich : he; had rb«i»fl doing for years. It was monstrous that one settler m the Manchester Block, with three miles of road -to hit property, should be m a position to put his foot down and say that the road should not' be made, while numbers of settlers on the sauio road, but only m the Manawata district, were m favor of it. Mr West supported the motion on the understanding .that -it was entrusted to' their member with the others. Mr S. Abrahams said that 'it wa« unfair to stab their representative m the dark. He had not beer, antagonistic ; he was only one member of the Manchester Boad Board. Mr Walker regretted if he had said anything not acceptable to the meeting. He, however, considered that those who had spoken were m order. Mr Macarthur had promised, when addressing hit constituents, to resign his chairmanship of the Manchester Koad Beard if he were returnedjfor the district ; this he had not done. FORWARDING RESOLUTIONS. Moved by Mr Ferguson, seconded by I Mr McNeil— That our member, Mr Macarthur, be requested to lay the resolutions now passed at this meeting before the Government, and use his best efforts to have effect given thereto, and that Messrs Smith, Beetham, and Wilson, Ms.H.R., be asked by letter to co operate with him and otherwise give their assistance. The Mayor moved the last resolution, and, m doing so, said that he had been connected with public meetings m Palmerston during the past 9 or ten years, and he never knew a meeting to be so unanimous as the present. He might say the local press had done the advertising gratis, and the use of the ball had been given free. Every person he had snoken to about the meeting and request* ed to take part had willingly acquiesced. Mr Jensen had ssnt an apology for his absence ; he would take this opportunity of stating, that as most of those present would recollect, he had opposed the return of their present member very bitterly. He was glad to say he had been unsuccessful. Mr Macarthur worked fairly, he considered, for all parts of the electorate. Although he was an opponent of his, he had done little jobs for the speaker as if he were one of his strongest supporters. He had always done big best to have their wishes agreed to by the Government, and they would strengthen bis hands, he believed, by passing the resolutions they had that evening. Mr McNeil seconded the motion, and was glad that they an opportunity of expressing their feelings of the way their member had acted on behalf of the dia. trict.. The motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thaaks to the chair was proposed by Mr R. S, Abraham. Mr Thomas McKenzie, of Wellington, m seconding the motion, stated he wasa ratepayer but not a resident, the latter, howevei, he hoped to be some day. He was pleased tc see the advance the town had'niade during the past six years, and complimented the Mayor on the orderly and harmonious style m which the proceedings of that evening had been carried out. . Mr West moved votes of thanks to the Press and the proprietor of the Hall for their generosity m connection with 'remitting expenses which would otherwise have been charged. ; The proceedings then terminated.