MARTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 17, 20 May 1871, Page 2

MARTON.

[From our Own Correspondent.] In my last letter I passed some strictures upon the Provincial Government for what appeared to be their wilful obstinacy in not appointing a policeman, where one was so much needed. lam happy now to be able to state that our persistent appeals in this matter have at last met with success, and that constable M‘Anulty, formerly stationed at Bull’s, has been transferred to this place. This has had almost a magical effect here, and it is beginning to assume its old aspect of a quiet healthy township. Rowdies and roughs have disappeared as if by the wand of an enchanter, the publichouses are quiet and well-con-ducted, and it is now possible to walk up the street without having one’s ears assailed by filthy and obscene language. There is altogether a wonderful change for the better, and the thanks of the community generally are due to the Provincial Government for granting our prayer. “ May their shadow never grow less.” GENERAL itfms. One of the men concerned in the late robbery in the streets, was brought before a full bench of magistrates at Bull’s, and by them fully committed to take his trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court in Wellington. The other man, whom I reported as having got away, was apprehended by the constable about ten days ago, and was today brought before W. J. Willis and Alfred Ross, Esqs., J.P’s. Mr Cash, of Marton, defended the prisoner, and pointed out several discrepancies in the evidence. The magistrates gave the prisoner the benefit of the doubt and discharged him, but at the same time gave hiip some advice, to the effect that for the future it would be advisable for him to be more particular in the selection of his company. The fine farm sold at Messrs Bethune and Hunter's sale, and which formerly belonged to the late Mr. E. Prince, has been purchased by Mr S. Cawood, of this place, for the almost nominal sum of £350. Mr Cawood is fortunate in his purchase, and I congratulate him upon getting such a decided acquisition to his property at so cheap a rate, but at the same time I am surprised that Wellington speculators should have allowed land worth at least seven or eight pounds an acre, and within a mile of a rising township like this, to go for less than the actual improvements on the place are worth. I am informed one gentleman here did send down to his agent to purchase at a much higher rate, but fortunately for Mr Cawood the agent referred to was absent from Wellington at the time, and he therefore secured the property on the terms mentioned above.

ROAD BOARD. It is reported that the last election of wardens of the Upper Rangitikei road board was an illegal one, it having taken place two months later than the time required by law. An advertisement appears in the “ Herald” and “ Chronicle,” signed by several influential settlers, amongst them the Hon. W. Fox, requesting W. J. Willis, Esq., J. to call a public meeting of the ratepayers of the said district, for the purpose of electing a board of wardens, and fixing a rate for the current year, in conformity, with the provisions of the District Highways Act of the Province of Wellington now in force, the board now professing to be such not having been lawfully elected. In compliance with this requisition, Mr Willis has convened a public meeting, to be held in the Marton Town Hall on Saturday, the 3rd of June. I shall not be at all surprised to hear some pretty strong speaking on that occasion, and possibly a few personalities indulged in. Perhaps it would be advisable to get our new constable stationed at the door until the close of the meeting, in case any of the members should so far forget themselves as to proceed to extremities. PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting was held at— What shall I Call it? If I say Bull’s I shall notably offend the inhabitants of the place hitherto known by that name ; the Government says it shall not be called Rangitikei; so to be safe I had better adopt the words of the Gazette, and say, “at the township for which an appropriate name is under consideration.” At all events, it was for the purpose of considering this matter that the meeting was convened. O. Graham, Esq., was called to the chair, and read a letter, which he (as chairman of the last meeeting) had received from the Post Office authorities, stating that the name of “ Middle Rangitikei” had been cancelled. The chairman spoke of the deep interest taken by the settlers in the adoption of the name of Rangitikei. He could not see why the Government should make such a decided opposition to their wishes, especially as he was sure that any objection which might be brought forward were really without any tangible foundation. The township had been raised by their own industry and perseverance, and he for one, felt that they ought to be allowed to chose the name for that which they they themselves had created. At the conclusion of a long speech (for which I am sorry I have not space) the chairman said he had drawn up a memorial to the Government, asking them to reconsider the matter, which he hoped all the settlers in the district would sign. Captain Richardson fully concurrred in the remarks of the chairman. He, as one inhabitant of the place, would never rest until they had what he considered their rights. It had been publicly stated, and by one, high in authority* that the settlers in the neighborhood of Marton objected to their using the name Rangitikei, but he had been assured that, with one or two notable exceptions, this was not the case. A considerable amount of discussion then took place as to whether the memorial should contain the words “ Middle Rangitikei,” or Rangitikei solus, as proposed at the first meeting. Captain Jordan and Mr D. K. Lewers thought the word “ Middle” would prevent the possibility of any mistakes in the Post Office Departments, and at the same time meet the wishes of the inhabitants. A show of hands was taken on the question; and it was decided by a large majority that the memorial should contain simply the word Rangitikei, without the prefix. It was proposed by Mr D. K. Lewers, and seconded by Mr Schultze, “That a committee consisting of C. Graham, Esq., J.P., Capt. Richardson, Mr A. M‘Donald and the mover, be appointed to take the necessary steps to see that the petition should be forwarded to its proper destination, and that it should be left for signature at some convenient place. T nearly forgot to say that Mr Hammond was opposed to the name of Rangitikei, and thought a name similar to Marton ought to be given. His party, however, was small, and his proposition therefore lost. The Chairman said the next question he wished to bring forward for the consideration of the meeting was the removal by the Provincial Government of the

constable from that place to Marton. This act had taken .them all by surprise, more especially as no other officer had been sent in his place. He had no doubt a policeman was badly wanted at Marton, and he did not blame them for doing all they could to get one, but taking the constable from this township was like robbing Peter to pay Paul. The Marton correspondent of the Wellington papers had very plainly, and he (the Chairman) believed truthfully, described the state of that township some time ago, and the number of bad characters who at certain seasons of the year visited it. Now the constable was removed, would not those very characters come down to this township and create the same amount of disturbance and disorder which had occurred there. Again in close proximity there were ten large native pahs, and a number of Maoris were constantly in the township, who to a certain extent required looking after. A great number of summonses occasionally had to be served, sometimes even as far down as Manawatu. As there was now no 6ne to do this work, the action of the Provincial Government would be provocative of much public inconvenience. He considered his fellow-settlers were too apathetic, they must commence to act unitedly and put their shoulders to the wheel vigorously. The Marton people on the contrary were very pushing, and made the most of their opportunities. He would like to see a little more of that spirit infused there, and he believed that now the necessity for it was so plainly shown it would soon come out. After remarks from several other speakers, it was proposed by Mr George Howe, and seconded by Mr A. M‘Donald “ that this meeting beg to express their regret at hearing that they have been deprived of the services of constable M‘Anulty, and at the same time to urge on the Provincial Government the absolute necessity of leaving a constable permanently stationed in the township.” This with a vote of thanks to the chairman, closed the proceedings.