WAITOTARA.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 401, 19 February 1879, Page 2

WAITOTARA.

(From a Correspondent.)

February 18. A well attended public meeting was held in the Schoolroom on Friday evening last, to consider the action of the Patoa Comity Council in proposing to put a toll bar at Waitotara Bridge Mr James Stent votedto chair. Mr Fisher pointed out that if a toll-bar were erected here, it would divert trade from the township, and make Nukumam or Maxwelltown the outlet for the Mornahaki and other tradeon that side of the river..

Moved by Mr Fisher, seconded by Mr Hollier, and carried unanimously, “ That this meeting desires the Patea County Council to reconsider its action in notifying the erection of a toll gate at Waitotara, believing that such a stop would affect the interests of the Comity generally, and Waitotara township in particular.” Moved by Mr Jordan, seconded b} 7 Mr Parsons, and earned, ’‘That a memorial embodying Mr Fisher’s resolution be prepared and signatures obtained, to be presented to Patea Council at its next meeting by Messrs Milne and Brewer ; and that other parts of the County he requested to assist.” —Air Jordan pointed out strongly that a toll-gate at the outlet of the County would seriously affect the County interests. Waggoners would pay the toll, but would increase charges on carriage of goods. Cost of store stock coming in would be increased, and value of fat stock going out be depreciated. Moved by Mr G. Durie, seconded by Mr Southeombe, and carried, “ That the chairman he authorised to have the memorial drawn up, and that this meeting pledge itself to defray cost of same.” Moved by Mr McKenzie, seconded by Mr Fisher, and carried, “ That Messrs Milne and Brewer be requested to use every effort to have resolution re toll-gate rescinded.”

Messrs Brower and Milne were present, and explained that the Patea County Council bad no intention of erecting a. toll-gate unless the Wanganui Council proceeded to erect one north of Kai Iwi, which they believed the Wanganui-Council bad no intention of doing. They knew nothing of the letter from chairman of Patea Council to chairman of Wanganui Council on same subject, which appeared in i tie Wanganui Chronicle. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs Brewer and Milne, and to the chairman, and the meeting terminated.