SHEEPOWNERS MEEETING.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 239, 25 July 1877, Page 2

SHEEPOWNERS MEEETING.

Ox Saturday last, there was a large muster oL' sheepowners at 'Carlyle from all parts el: tlie County, who had assembled to consider the action of Government in appointing Mr W. Hately Chief Inspector of Sheep for the Taranaki Provincial District. The meeting, which was held in the County Council Chambers, commenced about halfpast three o’clock. Mr It. C. Horner, sen., was voted to the chair, and after reading the advertisement convening the meeting, expressed himself ready to receive resolutions. Mr if. Symes, in a short address, strongly condemned the action of Government in appointing Mr Hately to the position of Chief Sheep Inspector, especially in the face of strong proof which settlers had adduced to Major Atkinson of Mr Hateiy’s unfitness for the position, as evidenced by the heavy losses which shcepowners had sustained through Mr llately’s incompctency. The speaker considered it was of the utmost importance that sheopowners in the Patea County should record their strong disapproval of the action of Government in making the appointment. The injury done to the district through neglect of the Government otliccr was too well known to sheopowners to need recapitulation. Mr E. R. .Morgan proposed, Mr E. M. Honeylicld seconded, and it was carried unanimously—“ That in the opinion of this meeting, the appointment of Mr Hately as Chief Inspector of Sheep is antagonistic to the best interests of this district.” Moved by Mr Mcßae, seconded by MiDa!!, and carried—“ That this meeting insists on a thoroughly competent man being appointed Inspector of Scab for the Patea Comity, independently of any inspector in Taranaki (as promised by the Premier to the deputation of shcepowners at Manutahi), and that it is desirable that a committee should be appointed to draw up a petition setting fortlx the reasons for such appointment, such petition to be signed by as many sheepowners as see the necessity of action being taken.” Proposed by Mr E. J. Morgan, seconded by Mr If. Symes, and carried—“ That the Hon the Premier be x-eqneatcd to fulfil his promise made to the late deputation at Manutahi re scab, and forward the reports made by Messrs Simpson and Hickson after their several inspections of the district.”

Proposed by Mr Honeyfield, seconded by Mr Mcßae, and carried—“ That a petition be forwarded to the House of Representatives, with as many signatures as can be obtained, praying that adequate compensation be made to Messrs C. and E. Symcs, for losses sustained by them in consequence of the incompctency or remisness of a servant of the Government, viz., (V. Hardy." Proposed by Mr J. Williamson, seconded by Mr E. It. Morgan, and carried—“ That this meeting is of opinion that the foregoing resolutions and petition be placed in the hands of some trustworthy gentleman, who will undertake to present such petition and represent the matter to the Government, and is of opinion that Mr Bryce would be a suitable person to be entrusted with lire same.” Proposed by Mr Mcßae, seconded by Mr C. Symes, and carried—“ That a committee be appointed to draw up a petition

ns per resolutions 4 and 5, consisting of the following ;—Messrs Honeylicld, L. U. Morgan, Horner, 11. Williamson, McKae, W. Gower, W. Newlami, and J. M. Goodson.” Movers and seconders of resolutions in some few cases expressed themselves forcibly as to the injury lately done to this district through 1 lie reported 'cases of scab, anil rated the Premier strongly for making the appointment lie had lately done. The resolutions were all carried unaniinonslv.