PUBLIC MEETING

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 38, 28 February 1877, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING

The adjourned meeting held at the Princess Hotel on Saturday evening last, m connection with the metalling o£ that portion of Main-street running through the township, and the erection of a railway platform at the Terrace ! End, was largely and influentially attended. Mr Machie, on being voted to the chair, requested the meeting to bear m mind the fact that the time available for metalling the portion of the road m question would soon come to an end for this season, and what was wanted must needs be done at once before the winter set m and made this already dangerous road worse. It was proposed by Mr E. Brightweli "That the chairman of this meeting write to our member, Mr W, Johnston, requesting him to lay before the Minister of Public Works the following resolution : — ' That it is the opinion of this meeting that the General Government should call tenders for metalling the main street through Palmerston from the Post-office to the railway crossing near Nees' mill, and that tenders should be called for at an early date, as the season for work of the kind will soon be past.' " Mr Linton said he seconded the motion with pleasure. The street was really dangerous, and m bad weather almost impassable. Carried. An animated discussion took place as to whether the Government should not be asked to fill m the ditches as well. Mr Linton thought they should not ask too much at once. Mr Deards remarked every one was m danger of life and limb from the very bad condition of this road. Mr E. Marsh spoke from personal experience, and seriously thought the Government should fill the ditch, but would waive that to obtain the metalling. Mr Dbaeds said, m moving the next resolution, he considered that, as nearly the whole of the producing industries of Palmerston were situated at the East end of the town — the population of that end being large and still increasing — it was quite necessary that accommodation should be provided by the railway authorities, to enable the inhabitants to meet trains without entailing on them the great inconvenience and loss of time experienced now by having to walk to the station m the Square. Therefore he would move : — " That the Chairman of this meeting write to our member for the district, Mr W. Johnston, requesting him to lay before the Minister of Public Works the following resolution, — ' That a 6th class station be erected at the East end of the town, it being the centre of a lai'ge population, who find it a great inconvenience and drawback to business having to walk so far to the present station.' " The motion was seconded by Mr E. Marsh, and carried nem. con. Mr Linton observed that there was already a platform at the farthest East end, but that was erected for the use of the mills, and was not available for passengers* Mr E. Mars£ thought a station with some kind of shelter at this the East end of Palmerston was quite necessary. It was true you could come from the Square to the mills' platform, but you had to pay Is 6d for the samei Whereas, if the fare was 6d, he felt sure it would augment the returns of the Palmerston Station. Mr Linton moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which Was seconded by Mr Nannestad and carried, after which the meeting adjourned.