PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT RESERVES.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 327, 5 June 1878, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT RESERVES.

In accordance with announcement in last issue, a meeting of ratepayers, called on requisition by the Chairman of the Town Board, was held in the Carlyle Town Hall, to consider the advisability of urging upon Government the granting of the Carlyle Resident Magistrate’s Reserve to thePatea Harbor Board, for Harbor improvements. Mr William Aitchison was voted to the chair, and after reading the advertisement convening the meeting - , called upon ratepayers to speak. Mr J. Milroy proposed, and Mr J. Lett seconded motion, “ That in the opinion of this meeting, it is detrimental to the interests of this town to have a Resident Magistrate’s Reserve in its centre, and that the -reserve should be sold as building sections, as soon as convenient.” Mr Milroy said he should like the meeting to decide whether it was in favor of the reserve being sold, or kept as a Resident Magistrate's Reserve. The motion was carried. Moved by Mr McCarthy, seconded by Mr Taplin, and carried unanimously, ■‘ That this meeting is of opinion that it is ’

highly desirable that the land known as the R.M. Reserve, being part of Block 36, in Town of Carlyle, should be given to the Patea Harbor Board, with power to sell, the proceeds to be applied to Harbor Works.”. Mr Sherwood expressed himself in favor of the motion, and stated that all they could hope to get at present was temporary occupation. The question of the Harbor Board selling was a very important one, and he proceeded to point out that permanent possession could not be obtained without legislation ; that the Harbor Board would require funds to carry out further works, and that it would be a legitimate way for the Government to dispose of the reserve, as suggested in the resolution. As far as he could Iparn, people were unanimously of that opinion. Mr Sherwood further stated that when the Hon Mr Sheehan visited Carlyle, he had pointed out to him the anomaly of having large reserves in the middle of the town, and more particularly a R.M. Reserve. Mr Sheehan agreed with the speaker, that the Harbor Board was themostimportant body, and was of opinion that on Major Turner giving up possession,the reserve should be handed over to the Harbor. As soon as Major Turner left the premises, he (Mr Sherwood) put himself in communication with the Government, asking that the Harbor Board might be put in possession, pending permanent disposal of the reserve. He had received private telegram from one of the Ministers, as also an official notification from Mr R. G. Fountain, that the request had been .acceded to. He Imped that the ratepayers would in future work hand in hand, and not try to throw cold water on worthy objects. He did not believe in underhand cuts. Ratepayers had no right to ask for anything unreasonable, but all reasonably requests should be persisted in until acceded to by Government.

Proposed by Mr Lett, seconded by Mr O’Sullivan, and carried, “ That the chairman of this meeting ask Mr Sherwood to forward copies of the 'resolutions which had boon passed to the Government and to the Patea Harbour Board.”

In reply to question of how expense should bo met, Air Sherwood stated that lie was of opinion the Town Board should bear the expense of any meeting convened on requisition of a number of ratepayers, when the object was legitimate and for the public good. He had received a communication from Wavcrley about railway works. [Letter road]. Three years ago there was some agitation on the railway question, but the people had shown great apathy. He (Mr Sherwood} pointed out at that time that action should he at once .taken,' as,-possibly, if they deferred the matter, it would be too late. If there had been joint action then he believed there would now have been a railway through the district. It was a lasting disgrace on the colony that this coast should have been neglected, but the people themselves should take a share of the blame. If it could be shown that railway works here would enhance the value of Government land sufficient to recoup the cost of construction of line,.and that, even at present, freight on goods would far more than pay working expenses, then that would be making out a good case, and he had no doubt such would receive favorable consideration at the hands of Government and of the House. It would be better to confine effort to securing a railwajH’or the district, without paying special consideration as to any particular direction the line should take —the question of route should be left for engineers to decide. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.