PUBLIC MEETING AT WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 226, 9 June 1877, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT WAVERLEY.

A jikktixo of settlers was held in (he Wnvorley Town Hall, on Wednesday, Or It June, at" six o’clock in the evening,' to discuss railway and other matters. Mr Bridge was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated that it was thought an expression of public feeling in rega;d to the railway question, might have good effect, but it was not intended to coniine the meeting to railwav matters only.

Mr Kclis spoke at length on Iho advantage of rail ways, and after explaining the position of ailltiirs in regard to proposed railway through this diatri- t, and commenting. on t! jo diiL'erent routes proposed, contrasted the action of Government with that of private companies, in the matter of carrying out railway works. The former appearing inclined to carry lines where population was sparse, whilst the hitler always constructed lines where population was thickest. Ho moved—“ That wii.ii a view to fully developc the resources of this county it is desirable, in the opinion of this meeting, that the -railway bo taken inland from Kai Iwi to Wavcrley, as near as possible in accordance with the survey made by. llm late Mr Hogg, and by Mr Ilursthouso. That the Chairman be requested to send copies of this resolution to the Hon. Major Atkinson, the Hon. Mr Fox, and to Mr Bryce, M.li.lt. That the Hon. Mr Fox be requested to take special action in this matter

Mr Kenah spoke in favour, and seconded the motion.

Mr D. Peat (chairman of the Wanganui County Council) found fault with the curious maimer in which the meeting had been called together, and styled it a hole in the corner meeting. lie gave it as his opinion that if the motion proposed by Mr Kells was carried, it would only retard the carrying on of the proposed railway works. Ho stated on the authority of Mr Bryce, M.H.8,, that Government were only anxious for some excuse to indefinitely shelve the matter. After condemning interference on the part of settlers as to the particular direction the lino should take, ho moved, .as an amendment, “ That the members of the district be requested to urge on Government the necessity for pushing on the construction of the Wanganui and Patea Hail way.” The amendment was seconded by Mr McDonald. Other speakers followed, including Messrs Milne, Hogg, and Thomas. Mr Kenah also stated that he considered the district was well represented, for he had never seen any meeting of settlers better attended. Finally the amendment was put and lost, and the resolution was carried by a large majority. A further amendment, moved by Mr Mitchell, and seconded by Mr Fleming, that the meeting bo adjourned to the 6th June, was lost, only four or five hands being held up in favour. After the railway business had been disposed of, Mr Kenah moved, and Mr McDonald seconded, a motion “ That, in the opinion of this meeting it is most desirable that the boundary between the 'Wairoa Highway District, and the Patea East Hoad District, should be changed to the Whenuakura River, and that the Hon. Mr Fox be requested to assist the above Road Boards in effecting the desired change.” After considerable discussion the motion was carried by a large majority. A vote of thanks to the , chair closed the proceedings.