PUBLIC MELTING.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 193, 14 February 1877, Page 2

PUBLIC MELTING.

A public meeting was held in the Town Hall on Saturday night, for the purpose of discussing the following matters : —-1. To take into consideration the necessity of urging the Government to still keep the Land Office o <m in this district. 2. To consider the advisability of petitioning the Government to extend the jurisdiction of the K.M. Court to Tot). Dr. Croft occupied the chair, and after reading the advertisement calling the meeting, briefly explained the great drawback it would be to the district to have the Laud Office closed, but would leave it in the hands off he meeting. Mr Taplin proposed'—“ That this meeting is strongly of opinion that the closing of the Land Office at Carlyle would he a serious loss to the county and the colony, as it is believed that past land sales have realised much larger sums of money in consequence of the facilities offered by the local Land Ofliee to intending purchasers. That in view of fit) nre contemplated sales, and tomaintainthesefacilities, it is urgently necessary that Hie Land Ofliee, as specified in the ‘ Waste Lauds Act, 187b,’ be at once established ; and that a copy of this resolulion be forwarded to the Jlon. Major Atkinson, .and the Waste Lands Office, New Plymouth.” In moving this resolution, Mr Taplin pointed out the benefits to be derived from having a land office bore. For instance, if the offices were removed, and any land had to be ottered for stile, people would have to go to Taranaki, and therefore the land would not realise near so much as if sold in this district, on account of the real value of the land not being known. Mr Milroy seconded the resolution.

Mr J. Bouthby was opposed to sending a copy or the resolution to New Plymouth, as he thought it would do no good. Why not send it only to Major Atkinson, not as Premier, but as member for the Egmont District. Mr Taplin pointed out that the Waste Lands Odice at New Plymouth was the proper place to send, as the Waste Land Board had power to create or abolish Land oliicos. The motion was then put and carried. Mr Lett suggested that, a telegram be sent to Mr Sherwood, asking him to interview Major Atkinson on the matter. Along and very boated discussion here took place with reference to Mr Sherwood bointr asked to represent the mooting, some gem lemon stating that- it. was a rase on the part of several of the Town Board members to get the meeting to bear part of -Mr Sherwood's expenses to Wellington, so as to reduce tiie liability of the Board. Messrs Hirst ami .McCarthy, as members of the Town Beard, stated that they were opposed to the Aid being taken out of the funds of the Board to pay Air Sherwood's expenses. It was explained by Mr Milroy that it was found necessary to send some one to Wellington 1o lay mailers connected with the. Board before the Government, hut that the money was only advanced, and lie had no doubt the greater part of it would he made up by subscription. Ho fell sure Mr Sherwood would not coniine himself to Board matters alone, lint would try and benciit (he county generally. Mr Hirst said it would look as if they had lost confidence in Major Atkinson, by authorising Mr Sherwood to act for them. dir Williams said he did not think so, and was of opinion that Mr Sherwood was the best person they could get. Several other gentlemen spoke briefly on the subject, when it was proposed by Mr Taplin and seconded by dir Keys—i; That dir Sherwood., when in Wellington, be requested to represent this meeting, and to tiring the matters embodied in the resolutions passed before the Government.” dir Dale proposed as nn amendment, seconded by dir Hirst—“ That instead of Mr Sherwood being appointed to interview the Government on the resolution passed In reference to the Land cilice, a commillco be appointed to draw up a petition on the subject, and forward the same to the Government.” The amendment was lost. With reference to increasing the jurisdiction of the B.M. Court, the following resolution was passed—“ That a petition bo drawn up, setting forth the urgent necessity of increasing the jurisdiction of tins B.M. Court of Batea to £SO, and that the petition he forwarded to the centres of population throughout the Count} - for the purpose of obtaining signatures thereto, and forwarded to the Minister of Justice with us little delay as possible.” Messrs Lott, W. Williams, Gowcrn, Taplin, and 11. E. Adams, were appointed a committee to cany out the foregoing resolutions, and to solicit subscriptions to defray all costs. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.