PUBLIC MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 151, 25 June 1880, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

The public meeting held at Spring Grove last evening to discuss Road Board matters was very largely attended, the schoolroom being crowded. Mr W. White, the Chairman of the Board, explained to the meeting that, in consequence of the late Financial Stamement of the Colonial Treasurer the Board had made up their minds to curtail their expenses, and in furtherance of that object they had agreed to discbarge the whole of their day men and their two officers. They would advertise for one person competent to do the whole of the work appertaining to Secretary and Overseer, &c. He (Mr White) was then subjected to a severe .crosa-exami-nation iv respect to Road Board matters in general, and at the close of the meeting a vote of thanks to the Board and confidence in Mr White was carried by acclamation. Mr Dencker then vacated the chair, and Mr W. W. Lightband, J.P, was elected chairman of a meeting called to consider the present taxation of the country. He called upon Mr White, the convenor of the meeting, who, in a speech of .considerable length; showed where retrenchment to the extent of two millions could be made, and thereby render further taxation unnecessary; The following resolutions were passed unanimously :— (1). " That in the opinion of this meeting, be "ore any further taxes are imposed on the people the Government should first ascertain what money might be saved by proper retrenchment in all the branches of the Government administration, beginning by reducing Ministers salaries, making the seats in the Legislative Council an honor instead of pay, and to lessen the members honorarium by £100 for three months' ski ting, &c, &c. (2.) That this meeting will [ not consider any Govermeut .liberal, pat.

riotic, or sincere that -will not comply with this request. (3 ) That copies of the resolutions passed at this meeting be forwarded to our member, Mr Joßeph Shephard, with the intimation that we wish him to use his best endeavors to assist in carrying them out.l The meeting was also addressed by Messrs J. Harkness, C. Dencker, Mr Jeffreys, and others, and at the close of the meeting, which was both numerous and enthusiastic, a vote of thanks for calling the meeting, and , another to Mr Lightband for occupying tha chair, were carried unanimously.