HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 303, 13 March 1878, Page 2

HAWERA.

(FROM OUH OWN COItKESPONtfBNT.)

Major Atkinson field a public meeting- at Brett’s Hotel, Normanby, on Monday evening last, Avhich was largely attended, about 40 of the most influential of the settlers putting in an appearance. After having explained the action of the Government, past and present, and entered at some length into tiic financial state of the colony,. Major Atkinson came to the topic of most local importance—the Mountain Hoad. Ho explained tho history of the deviation, which was this :—That after the original road had been laid out by Captain Blake, it was discovered that the best route had not been taken, and a deviation line Avas accordingly laid out and gazetted, in consequence ot which Captain Blake had the whole plan of his township altered. He (Major Atkinson) therefore thought that it would be A r ery unfair t» the Normanby people, avlio had gone to great expense by putting up large buildings, Ac., lo adhere Lo tho old road, thus cutting them out, but was in favour of having the road carried through the township and out by the old Ketemarac Hotel, in place of the new line —which, on account of the heavy bush Iliac Avould have Lo be felled, Avould take, in bis opinion,- at least three years. He had interviewed Mr Carrington in New Plymouth on the subject and they had sent an urgent telegram to the Government, asking them to reconsider the matter, but as yet bad notrecoivcd an answer, in regard io the opening up of the Waimato Plains, he Avas of opinion, that had the policy of the late Government not been interfered with, and Major BroAvn allowed to !me his own way, tho Plains would ere .his have been opened ; but Mr .Sheehan, having given the Major instructions to push ahead again, he was in hopes of the difficulty soon being- settled. He stated that two letters had appeared in the Patna Mail, accusing him of having acted discourteously to the electors, and he therefore challenged “ Elector” or any one entertaining the same opinions, lo come forward and light ilie matter out in fair argument, as he should be only too happy lo meet him in a fair and open mariner, hut no one responding, a vote of confidence was proposed and carried, after Avhich the meeting broke up.