HAWERA.

Patea Mail, 28 August 1880, Page 3

HAWERA.

[from our cor respond kNt .] BRANCH OFFICE OF THE MAIL , Friday Evening. At the 11. iVL Court, on' Thursday, Capt. Wray, R.M. on the bench, 11. Dent and W. Miller accused E. Hawkins of embozaolmcnt. Mr Barleyinan appeared for the prosecutors, and Mr Ward for the accused. After hearing a great deal of evidence from the prosecution, the case was adjourned, the accused being released on his own recognisance to appear. —Several debt cases were disposed of, and tho Court rose about 5 o’clock. DEPUTATIONS TO MR BRYCE. TIIK MOUNTAIN UOAD. The Hon Mr Bryce arrived here on Wednesday afternoon, and was waited upon by several deputations. The first was from the Ngaire settlers relative to gravelling the Mountain road at once by way of Boylan road. Messrs Barley man, Southey, M. Hunter, and Gray, formed the deputation. Mr Barleyinan pointed out (lie almost impassable condition of the road during the winter months, and that when the present settlers bought land in these blocks they were under the impression that the road would be gravelled, as some contracts had actually been accepted, but since abandoned. Mr Bryce said ho would like to know positively whether there was such a condition. Mr Southey said that although there was nothing specified in the conditions about the metalling of this road, it was generally understood that these works would be carried out, and that the purchasers gave extremely high prices in consequence. Mr Bryce said that although it might seem strange to the deputation, he was adverse to these high prices being given for land. He would much rather see people give a fair price for their lands in order to encourage a speedy settlement. Mr M. Hunter said that some twelve months ago settlers were leaving the district in great numbers, but upon the pro sent Government coming into oflicc the public seemed to have that confidence in it to give prices far beyond what had previously been given, and he thought the settlers in this block were entitled to the consideration of tho Government. Mr Bryce replied that the Government, whilst always willing to receive compliments as to their administration, objected to pay for them. Mr Gray pointed out that in some cases in the Ngaire block, settlers had to travel 6 miles instead of 3, in consequence of the road running through a Maori reserve. Mr Bryce, in replying to the deputation, said they must understand that the present matter was outside his department, but ho would forward the views of the deputation to his colleague, the Minister for Public Works. It was a work of great necessity, but they must remember that the Government were too short of funds to go on with this and many other important works throughout the colony. The deputation retired.

NEW LAND BOARD. Another deputation, composed of Messrs McGuire, Davidson, King, and M. Hunter,’ waited next on Mr Bryce in icference to having a Land Board established at Hawera. Mr McGuire pointed out that as most of the unoccupied lands of the Crown in this province lay adjacent to Hawera, therefore Hawera was the proper place for such office. Mr King said that the Waste Land Board in Taranaki had recognised this fact, and were trying to get a branch office established here. After some further discussion Mr Bryce said lie would like the inspector to put their views in a concise shape and he would forward them to the Minister of Lands with his remarks thereon. The object of the Government would be to afford every facility to intending purchasers both as regards plans and conveniences in inspecting lands. The deputation retired, after thanking the Minister for his courtesy. They afterwards held a meeting and drew up a memorial to the Minister, upon the subject.