ME. GIBBS AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 17, 19 January 1878, Page 4

ME. GIBBS AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

[From a Correspondent.]

A meeting of the electors of the Takaka district was held on the 12th iustant, in the schoolroom, in answer to an invitation from their representative, Mr W. Gibbs. Great interest was manifested by- the large attendance, and as there were a few . special subjects of vital consequence to the district all appeared to be pn the tip-toe of expectation as the M.H.R. began to open up the portfolio that he had beeu entrusted with by his constituency.

Mr Gibbs commenced his address by pointing out his reasons for changing from an independent to a party member of the House, the principal one being, that au independent member carries no weight and is not cared for by either Ministers or Opposition. The electors were, then edified by the old story of bow the important Bills of the Atkinson Ministry, although opposed by the Grey party when out of office, were subsequently adopted by the latter when assuming the reins of Government. The Estimates were likewise adopted in their entirety by the present rulers with an additional extravagance of money outlays. The appointment of Mr Bunny was severely criticised, and considered more a3 a reward. for his having been so zealous in his support (when in opposition) of the present Premier and his schemes. The middle party were men with whom Mr Gibbs would have nothiug to do, and he looked upon that new phase as a very objectionable one, and a great hindrance to the despatch of business. The reply of Major Atkinson to the [Financial Statement by Mr Laruach was dwelt upon at considerable length, the speech of the former being available in a printed pamphlet shape for any elector who might wish to study it. The Land Act and Sir George Grey's late speeches outside the House W6re spoken of and objected to. This head brought forth much talk at the conclusion of the address, but it would be uninteresting to recapitulate it here. Mr Gibbs considered it pretty certain that the untaxed population (as Sir Julius spoke of them in London) would have a taste of the property and income tax before long in a very substantial manner. The alteration anticipated in the representative scheme according to population was explained, end shown to be unfair to country distrjets, many of which would become disfranchised, Takaka and Collingwood included. To this end the people might expect a census in the month of March. A change in the rating valuation of property as requested in a communication Mr Gibbs had received from the Takaka Road Board so as to have the val nation made triennially instead of annually was acknowledged to be advisable. At this point the most important subjects for the district ■was entered upon, namely, the grants of money for permanent ways by tramway and the extension of the telegraph from Nelson to Collingwood, Takaka, and Totaranui. The steps taken by Mr Gibbs in these matters were very much approved of, and much of the right feeling was expressed for work faithfully performed to the best interests of those he represented. Much objection was expressed, and a very decided resolution wa3 unanimously carried, against the uusanctioned interference of a private gentlemau who had spoken to an authority in Wellington relative to the cable being laid to Totarauui Bay, and thus causing much mischief and delay, the constituency feeling that they should be represented solely by the gentleman they elected, and that all transactions should be entrusted to him. Mr Gibbs stated that he had been and shonld always be most ready and willing to receive any representations, but he considered the constituency wise in declining to allow any gentleman to speak or act on their behalf independent of their representative. With a few words respecting the Disqualification of members Bill and the need of bringing more pressure upon the workings of the mining leases, Mr Gibbs closed his full and on. the whole well received address, inviting any of those present to put questions to him for further explanation.

Mr W. Page, senior, put questions respecting the grants of money for the use of the Takaka ltoad Board.

Mr G. C. Gilbert asked questions upon the extension of the telegraph by land instead of by cable, to which Mr Gibbs replied by reading the closing letters of a communication that had been carried on between himself and Dr. Lemon, by which it was promised that the best route should be considered as quickly as possible.

The shipping interests would be profited by a cable in connection with the harbor of refuge so frequently referred to in the papers from vessels being seen at anchor in the bay; on the other hand the residents, storekeepers, and others deemed a land line far before a cable as an advantage to the many instead of the few, and the line being already as far as Motueka was naturally waiting for an extension to Kiwaka Takaka, Collingwood, and the Lighthouse.

The developement of the country with our capital is so important to both that it is hoped the merchants and others will continue their considerate endeavors to counect our communications as speedily as possible, and that the present difficulty of sending business intelligence may become a thing of the past before another year passes away.

A vote of confidence proposed by Mr Reilly, seconded by Mr Packard sen., (except with reference to the vote Mr Gibbs had given on the no-confidence motion subsequent to Sir George Grey assuniiug office) was passed unanimously.

A vote of thauks. proposed by Mr Walker, seconded by Mr Gibbs, was given to Mr Wjlmot C. B. Cave for the ablu and courteous manner in which he had presided over the meeting.

Subsequent to the above meeting advartage was taken of the presence of so many ratepayers to bold a meeting *' to decide upon the best way of raising the necessary funds to meet the outlay consequent upon the laying down Gf a tramway between the Waitap n wharf and the saw-mills in the Takaka Valley." Mr Gibbs was voted to the chair, and after reading letters and giving information upon what had already taken place respecting the ordering of the rails from England, and how the £2000 grant had been laid out, he left it to those present to come to the conclusion above referred to, as to how the expense of laying down the rails was to be met. The chainnau of the Takaka Road Board, Mr W. Page .sen., having stated that the money was not to be looked for from a tax on the ratepayers, and the meeting having unanimously (excepting one vote) passed a resolution that the tramway was imperatively necessary, it was resolved to wait until the arrival of the rails at Waitapu before taking further action.