PUBLIC MEETING.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 41, 10 March 1877, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting was held m the Foresters' Hall oh' Wednesday evening last, to consider the advisability of takthe preliminary steps requisite to bring the township of Palmerston under the control of the Municipal Corporations Act. Owing to insufficent notice having been given, the attendance at the meeting was small. Mr Snelson, having been voted to the chair, said, as the question proposeto be considered was of a very important character, and as there were so few ' present, he thought it would be well to adjourn the meeting to that day week so as to ensure a larger attendance. He was, however, desirous of giving those present an opportunity of expressing their views with regard to the matter proposed to be considered. He would read to them the 17th clause of the Municipal Corporations Act which stated very clearly the grounds upon which the Governor may proclaim any district iv New Zealand to be a borough under the Act. It behoved the residents of Palmerston to consider well the position m which they now stand, and contrast it with that which they would occupy were the township erected into a borough. The township would have larger benefits as a borough than at present. It would have the advantage of certain license fees, could levy special rates if necessary, and would get the Government subsidy of £2 for every £1 raised m the Municipality. It would be pleasanter to know that they had the full control of all monies raised amongst them than to have little or no voice m the expenditure of such monies. The revenue of the borough would be spent m the town and would benefitevery individual m the place. Some were of opinion that if the matter were brought to an issue it would be injurious to the county, but he did not think it would cripple the county' much. There were other important matters which the meeting might consider. It was quite necessary to make our member fully aware of the wants of the district, so that he might be m a position to assert its claims at the next meeting of Parliament. There was the jail question too. If a central prison w r ere erected between this and Wellington, Palmerston might benefit m various ways, such as by contracts to supply prison rations, and the use of a hard labor gang. Mr Warburton said he thought the County system resembled provincialism too much. In his opinion there were tw r o kinds of representative institutions that worked well — the large, which by its magnitude attracted public attention and engaged public interest; and the small local governments, such as Municipalities and Local Boards. In this County there were three separate centres of pttblic opinion, although at present Palmerston and Feilding agreed very well, because both places were suffering from the same injustice. He thought the municipal form of government would Tvork well m Palmerston, and would necessarily add much to the importance of the place. Under that system Pa'lin'e'rston would be looked upon as a town a!nd not as a mere village. Mr Seeling thought there was no danger, m the event of Palmerston being made a Municipality, of its privileges as such clashing with its privileges m connection with the County Council. It would then govern its own affairs, and leave Foxton the remainder of the County. Mr Pownall said he thought, that, tinder the circumstances, the residents of Palmerston were perfectly justified ih tire Steps they had taken; but it Would be well to consider w r h ether the present state of affairs would be likely to continue. He was of opinion that it would not. He believed a measure would be brought forward at the next session of the General Assembly to make the office of chairman m the several counties elective by the people. If so, there would be a great change m the present aspect of affairs. He was not desirous of saying one word against the proposition, but he felt satisfied that the alteration he had referred to Would take place. The Chairman said that of course the meeting should be careful of taking any step that it would be likely to regret hereafter; still there were local interests to look after, and as they all had the welfare of Palmerston at heart, it was but reasonable that they should take the necessary steps to secure to it advantages to which it was entitled. He thought the County Council Fund would be under £3,000, out of which many main lines of road would have to be maintained. These Would absorb a large amount of money, perhaps even more than the Council would be able to raise. Palmerston Would receive little or no benefit from that fund. As it was the Earere and other roads were thrown upon the Highways Board. Convert Palmerston into a Municipality, and its revenue would probably amount to £1,500 ; and they had still two members m the County Council who did not intend to rest till justice had been done. To look at the matter upon broader grounds, the change would add to the standing of the place, and would benefit property holders by materially increasing the value of their property. Mr GriLBERT, having been asked for an expression of opinion, said he had not as yet carefully considered the subject, and therefore would not speak to the question that evening. He thought it would be wise to .adjourn the meeting to some future day, and hold the adjourned meeting m the- day time when he believed there would be a good attendance. Mr Pownall then moved, "That this meeting stand adjourned till next Saturday week at 4 o'clock m the after-

noon, and that it he properly advertised m the interim." The motion having been put and carried, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.