NORMANBY.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 291, 30 January 1878, Page 2

NORMANBY.

(EROM OUR OWN COKRKBPOXDEKT.) A public meeting' was hold here on the evening ol' Saturday, the 2Gth instant, Mr C. L. Gibson in tile chair. The chairman explained that, the meeting'had been called for the consideration of matters affecting, not only Normanby in particular, but the whole of thcPatca County. The Mountain Uoacl being the most pressing to this end of the district, he hoped action would be taken by the meeting in urging immediate prosecution of the works upon the Gove-rn-meut. The state also of that portion of the road recently metalled between Ilawera and Normanby was brought before the notice of the meeting. Mr Sherwood, of Carlyle, being present, by invitation, was introduced to the meeting, when he proceeded to explain the course of action he had pursued with the Government while in Wellington in regard to the Mountain Road—the substance or which was that the Government intended to adhere to the gazetted line. Ho also travelled over considerable ground, in a very able manner, upon the Waimate question and Local Land Administration. It was then proposed by Mr Felix Hunger, seconded by Air Thomas Robson, and carried, “ That in the oioinion of this meeting, the Government should either at once take energetic measures in proceeding with the formation and. metalling - of the gazetted Mountain Road, or else place at the disposal of the Patea County Council a fair proportion of the T17,000 voted last session.. This meeting is further of opinion that the latter would be the better course to pursue, as the carrying out of the works could be done at loss cost by the Council than the Government.” Proposed by Mr James Robson, seconded by Mr F. H. ilrctt, and carried, “ That this meeting desire to bring bofoic the notice of the Government the palpable neglect, and waste of public money that is shewn in allowing that portion of the road recently metalled between Hawora and Normanby to fall out of repair, when, by employing one man the same might he kept in good order.” Proposed byMrThomas Robson, seconded by Mr Vine, and carried, “ That this meeting appoint a deputation to wait upon Sir George Grey and the Hon Mr Sheehan upon their arrival in the district, to urge upon them the desirability of settling the Waimate question, and the setting aside a largo portion of the land for sale on a system of deferred payments ; the immediate prosecution of the Mountain Road works ■ also of the railway through the County to Auckland ; and the establish mont of a local Land Board, with boundaries co-tcrminus with those of the County ; and that the following gentlemen be the

deputation—Mi 1 ' Hunger, Mr TV Robson. Mr Vine, Mr Wilson, Mr Fiulayson, Mr Gibson, and Mr Inkster.”

The chairman was then authorized to transmit by telegraph the two first resolutions to the Minister for Public Works, the necessary amount being subscribed in the room.

After a cordial vote of thanks to Mr Sherwood and the chairman, the meeting dispersed.