PUBLIC MEETING AT MANUTAHI.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 152, 23 September 1876, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT MANUTAHI.

An influential meeting to tak* into consideration the matter of the Comity boundaries, was held at Manutalii on Wednesday last. 11. S. Peacock, Esq., J P. was voted to the chair, and after reading: the advertisement convening the meeting ho said tint lie was glad to s-'o shell interest taken in this all important matter, and that the fact of: such a number of settlers being present coining from a long distance c'enr’v proved that It was wide spread and all .absorbing. Whilst meetings were being held in nenr'y all parts of the Colonv upon this subject, it was gratifying to find that Paten, an I especially Manntahi, was not behindhand in giving - expression to its ideas on a matter that so hvgcly'affects its interest. (Applause) No doubt those present were aware that the proposed boundaries of the Patea County were—the Wnitotrtra River on the one side, and Stone}’ - River on the other. Meetings had been hold nt. other places within those limits, and resolutions had been passed warmly appoving of the boundaries. He, (the chairman) cordially endorsed those resolutions and hoped and believed that those-present would do the same. (Applause.) Now that Provincialism was virtually defunct, it behoved the settlers to avail themselves to the fullest extent of the measure of local self government provided by the County bill, and; he believed--that the County system was one well calculated to advance the material

welfare of the district, (Cheers). t Mr. William Henderson thought it was the duty of the settlers to support ,the Government in'any, action that was likely to do good to the country. As one of the settlors, he thought the proposed County system would do good to the Avholc Colony, and he thought that the proposed boundaries of the Patea County could not;be improved upon. The speaker here alluded to the expressed dssire ot the New Plymouth people to have the province made into one County. That would never do. The New Plymouth end of the province, which had been too worn out by the action of the riow, he was happy to say, Abolition of Provincialism.

The New Plymouth people now apparntly wanted the moral and material support of young and vigorous Patea (hear hear). He begged to move that, “ This meeting is of opinion that the division of the Patea County, as laid down by the Government, is in every way suited to the settlers, 'and trusts that the Government will firmly adhere to the proposed boundaries.” Mr. J. Gibson, in seconding the proposition, said from his experience of other meetings he was sure that it was the unanimous desire of the people within, the proposed boundaries to have the same confirmed, and he sincerely hoped that such; Would be the case. Several other speakers followed in support of the resolution, which ' upon being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. The Chairman was requested to telegraph the resolution-to the Hon. Major Atkinson, member for the district . The question of a telegraph station at Manutahi was then discussed, and after the usual vote of thanks, the meeting terminated.