TOWNS ON THE PLAINS

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 509, 17 April 1880, Page 3

TOWNS ON THE PLAINS

HAW ERA AND NORMANDY INTERESTS. The question of sites for now townships on the Waiinate Plains was discussed rather warmly at the last meeting of the Land Board, held at New Plymouth. The site fixed near the towns of Hawera and Normanby raises a question of policy which demands liberal consideration by those responsible for the selection. The following discussion took place; Mr Barleyman moved, “ That the Chief Commissioner write to Air Parris and Major Brown, requesting that they will favour the Board witii their opinions as to the suitableness or otherwise of the site chosen for the township on the Waimate Plains, ami afford iho Board any information on tho subject they may be able to give.” Me said tho site lixed upon for the township on the Plains was not a good one, and a much b -tier silo might bo obtained further north, lie thought at first it would be better to refer tho mailer to the Royal Commission, but to meet tho whims of (he Board he would alter it to Mr Parris and Major Brown. MrSymosaid the wholeqnestion amounted to the fact that flic m-w township was thought by the settlers at Hawera to be 100 close.

Mr Barlcyman said he had in no way given Mr by me reason to think such was the case.

Mr Symo said that did not alter tho case, for Hawera sett lers had expressed themselves in that manner.

Mr Barlcyman said he must protest against Mr Syme stating the question in that manner. He brought the matter forward on public grounds. Mr Syme said that might be so, but he had a perfect right to assume that the reason of the Haw era people objecting to the site was its being too close to them. He was under the impression that the SurveyorGeneral had given instructions that towns should not be placed further than ten miles apart, and the Chief Surveyor had carried out his instructions. When the matter was brought before the Board on a previous occasion certain members then objected to the township being placed whore it was, and they were told that the Board had nothing to do with fixing the site, but all they had to do was to call it Crown Land. He thought the whole matter should be left to the Government, and did not see what good could result from referring it to the JLioyal Native Commission. Mr Crompton said ho did not see anj' harm could be done by the attention of the Royal Commission being called to the matter, and asked if it would be desirable to change the site. Ho remembered when the matter was before the Board on a previous occasion it was said that the site of the township had been fixed where it was to please the chief Manaia.

The Commissioner said that the Commissioners had been authorised to mark out reserves for the natives, and the aspect of the question had considerably altered since the matter was before the Board on a previous occasion. In laying out the reserves it might affect the position of the township, so i( would perhaps be as well to refer the matter to the Commissioners. After a few remarks from Mr Barleyman, the resolution as put was agreed to. The Chief Smveyor was then asked to attend, and, in rppl} r to questions asked, said it was not the intention of the Government to change the present site of the Township of Manaia. Mr Parris had an idea that the natives would like a township near Opunake, and had telegraphed to the Government respecting the matter. He had received that the site would not be altered. Manaia was about ten miles from Hawera and twenty from Opunake. His instructions were to put townships between eight and ten miles apart. There was to be another township near Oeo. Manaia, the township,, would be where the main roads would "join from Normality, Hawera, and Stratford—all the roads would strike direct for that town. The reason the Government were not inclined to move the site was that so much money had already been spent in surveying it. Before he had fixed upon a site some of the people there said put it further away ; and others said put it closer. The present site was a good one ; it was dry and well drained.