PUBLIC MEETING AT PATEA.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 11, 19 May 1875, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT PATEA.

In accordance with an advertisement issued by Mr Sherwood, M.P.C.. asking the electors to meet him at the Court-house on Saturday evening last, in order that ho might explain his past conduct and his intended action in future, there was a large attendance of electors and others present. Mr D. Contis was voted to the chair, and after brietly mentioning the object ■ ■ t-td*•-» meeting, called upon Mr Sherwood to address those present. Mr Sherwood said his object in calling the meeting was to explain his conduct as one of the members for the district, and to take stepis towards getting a section of the railway line commenced in this district. He said it was advisable for the settlers to devote mure attention to polities than they had hitherto done. The following matters had received his attention in the Provincial Council :—A refund front the General Government of the cost of Patea Courthouse, and which had been charged against the district —the Superintendent of Wellington having obtained a similar refund in that Province ; the question of education reserves in the district ; opening up roads through military settlers’ lands ; raising snags, &c., in the Patea River, which work was about to be proceeded with ; grant in aid of destitute persons in the district, which resulted in ,£IOO being granted, to be distributed by a committee appointed for the purpose ; supported Mr Andrews' resolution in reference to the improvement of the Waitara and other rivers of the Province ; had moved for all correspondence between the Superintendent and a Mr Fitzpatrick, relative to pre-emptive right to a section of land on the Mountain Road, and considered all dealings with public lands should be above board ; given notice of motion to do away with rating clause of Educational Ordinance. He reserved to himself the right of saying at the present time what ho intended to propose in lieu of it. Ten per cent of the whole of the lands in the Province should be devoted to educational purposes. As the local school committees and Education Board did not work together, it would be better to abolish the committee, and increase the number of the Board. He was still of opinion that Provincial institutions should be abolished, but would not be one for doing away with them until satisfied that the future system would be an improvement. He would now ask the meeting to give their opinion on his conduct since lie was elected. Proposed by Mr J. Nicholson, seconded by Mr J. Gibson, and carried—“ That this meeting has confidence in Mr Sherwood as one of the representatives for the district in the Provincial Council.” Mr Shhuwood then proceeded to show why this district was entitled to have a section of railway works proceeded with. The district could compare favourably with any part of the Colony. The lino could he easily made. The cost between Whenuakura and Waingongoro would not exceed £4,000 per mile, vide Mr Hursthouse’s report. By petitioning the House of Representatives, no doubt a sum would be placed upon the estimates next session to carry oul the work. The settlers in the district would only be asking for what other parts of the Colony were getting. By pushing on this line through the district, the Government would increase the value of the lands still unsold. The line would be a reproductive work, and it would not pay to grow grain until the railway was completed. No doubt Major Atkinson and the other West Coast members would use their influence in the matter. He would ask the meeting to appoint a committee to draw up a petition to the House of Representatives. The following gentlemen were appointed to draw up the petition, to act in conjunction with other committees : —Messrs Sherwood, Contis, Dale, Gibson, Southby, Gane, and C. Syme. A vote of thanks having been passed to Mr Sherwood for the services he had rendered to the settlers in the district during the past few years, ho said, in reply, that he had always/.he best interests of the district at heart, and thanked the meeting for their expression of confidence. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.