NORMANBY.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 288, 19 January 1878, Page 2

NORMANBY.

(from our own correspondent.) A meeting of the Ketcniarae Small Farm Association Committee was held here on Tuesday, 15th instant. Present ‘Messrs James Robson, Thomas Hobson, Inkster, Tockor, Gibson, Sanson, and the chairman (M>- King). Proposed by Mr Tockor, seconded by Mr Robson, and canted, “ That in consequence of theabscnce of thesocrotary (Mr McGuire) Mr Gibson act as secretary for the occasion. A hot discussion then arose owing to Mr McGuire having neglected to furnish a list of names of subscribers. The treasurer stated that Mr McGuire had informed him that he had 100 names on his list, whereas he (Mr McGuire) had only handed over the amount collected from 90 names. The action of Mr McGuire, in not furnishing a list of subscribers, was strongly commented on, and condemned by the whole of the members present. It was at length resolved, upon the motion of Mr Robson, seconded by Mr Inkster, “ That the chairman be requested to despatch a note to Mr McGuire, asking him to forward list of names. After a delay of half an hour, a letter was received from Mr McGuire, and read, to the purport, That the treasurer must bo labouring under a misapprehension. That he (Mr McGuire) had handed over all monies received by him, amounting to £22 10s ; and that he believed he had only 90 names down on his list, which ho regretted not being able to furnish to the committee, owing to its being at his office at Hawera.

It was then proposed by Mr Tocker, seconded by Mr Sanson, 11 That Mr McGuire be requested to furnish the list of names of subscriber. 1 ?, to the treasurer within three days.” An amendment was proposed by Mr Robson, seconded by Mr Inkster, and carried, u That Mr McGuire’s- statement, that there arc 90 names on his list, be accepted as correct,”

The following accounts were then passed for payment : —Wanganui Herald, ill 10s ;• Mr Roy,- solicitor, Gs 8d ; Mr McGuire, stationery. &c.-, 17s ; Patea Mail, £-3 os ;■ Mr Govett, solicitor,- New Plymouth, T7 ISs ; Mr King, cash paid for telegrams, &c., T3 17s Gd ; Mr Gibson, 2s 9d. An account put in by Mr W. Williams, for To, horse hire,, and attendance on behalf of Association on- Waste Lands Board- was thrown out, on the motion of Mr Inkster,seconded by Mr Thomas Robson, “That wr accOlfnt Its; tafnod, as Mr Guy look his place. Proposed by Mr Thomas Robson,seconded by Mr Sanson,- and earned,- “ That Mr Guy receive £3 3s, for services rendered in waiting on Waste Lands Board.” Proposed by Mr James Robson, seconded by Mr Inkster, and carried, “ That .Messrs Sanson and Tocker receive T3 3s each,- for services rendered, inspection of land up Mountain Road.” Proposed by Mr James Robson, seconded by Mr Inkster, and carried, “ That Messrs Gibson and King be authorized by this meeting - to sign conjointly, all cheques in connection with the Association funds.” Idie business of the committee was then declared closed.

A general meeting of a very limited number of the members of the Association then took place. Mr King, of Hawera, being voted to the chair. The chairman then addressed the meeting to the effect : That as the committee appointed by the first general meeting had failed to bring about any satisfactory negotiations with the Waste Lands Board, it now rested with the meeting to say whether they would wind up the affairs of the Association or cany it on. That a sum of £43 collected from subscribers was now in the Bank, out of which accounts to the amount of £2B 5s lid had been passed by the committee for payment, leaving a balance of £l4 14s Id which sura, if the meeting decided on winding up the affairs of the Association, they would have to say what should be done with. It was then proposed by Mr Gibson, seconded by Mr Stanley, and carried, That the affairs of the Ketemarae Small Farm Association be wound up.” Proposed by Mr Gibson, seconded by Mr Tocker, “ That the balance of Association fundsbebandedover to the Patea hospital.” An amendment was proposed by Mr Jas Robson, seconded by Mr Hawke, “ That the balance of Association funds be divided between the Haweia Institute and the Normanby Sunday School.” A whole hurricane here took place, nearly all hands speaking at once. Mr Inkster ultimately talked down all the rest, while he spoke for the amendment in language more forcible than elegant. Mr King also spoke for the amendment. He advocated selfishness in the matter, saying, that although a Hawera man, he would still like to see Nonnanby go a-head in the way of religious buildings, and wondered at Mr Gibson proposing to hand over the money to an institution supported by Government. In replying, Mr Gibson deprecated the idea of applying to purely local institutions—one of them of a denominational character —money that had been drawn from people of all denominations bailing from New Plymouth to Wellington, and advocated handing it over to a purely public and charitable institution, such as the Patea Hospital. He also endeavored to shew from a report of the last meeting of the County Council that the Patea hospital is not maintained at present by the Government. After a good deal of discussion the amendment was put and carried by a large majority, three'only voting for the original proposition. The meeting was then brought to a close