Major Atkinson in Patea.

Patea Mail, 4 November 1881, Page 3

Major Atkinson in Patea.

A very large meeting of electors was held last evening, in Barker’s room, to hear an address from Major Atkinson as member for Egmont, and as a candidate for re-election. Mr Milroy was proposed for the chair. He did not respond, having just left the room. Dr Croft was proposed by Mr F. O’S. McCarthy, and seconded by Mr W. Balmforth. The doctor took the chair, and presided efficiently and with some facetiousness. Major Atkinson made a lengthy, able, and forcible address, which will be published fully in next issue. He produced figures to show that the district has had more than equal proportion of public expenditure in respect of population, and that this part of the district has had more than Taranaki on the same basis of comparison. His figures will be better understood when analysed in a fair spirit of criticism. QUESTIONS. A long pause followed the Major’s speech. Voices called for “ Felix.” No answer. More waiting. Mr H. I. Davis said : Concerning the opening up of the back country, here we are, and we don’t know what the country is like within ten miles of the sea-board, and I would like to know if there is any chance of the land being explored and surveyed ? Major Atkinson : Yes, the Department has orders to explore it directly the weather is fit. Mr W. Balmforth : Is there any chance of the property tax being repealed ? Major : I am afraid none whatever. We have reduced it a half-penny. Mr Balmforth : Have you any scheme for cutting up the Crown lands in Canterbury, when the leases fall in ? Major : Under the Land Act they are all to be cut up in small sized blocks, as the nature of the country will allow — about 5,000 acre blocks. A large quantity of the country could not be cut up, a lot of it being winter country. What term of lease will be given ?

Major : It is proposed to sell the land on deferred payment. Squatters receiving compensation ?

Major : No. Have pre-emptive rights all run out?

Major : Yes. Mr H. Williamson : Are you in favor of continuing the present system of State education ? Major : Yes, I am in favor of a national system of education. I also believe we should assist such denominations as are prepared —as under the Nelson system — to build their own schools and submit to a public examination. (Some applause.) I always desired that every child should be educated ; therefore I would go by examination rather than by any particular system. Mr Balmforth : Has the Government any intention of amending the Counties Act, by allowing the Road Boards to take the place of County Councils? Major : Yes, we had a bill last session allowing that to be done, but unfortunately through the stone-walling we were unable to get it through. The desire is to leave the ratepayers to determine whether they like the County or the Road Board organization. (Hear, hear.) If elected, will you try to bring that forward ?

Major : Yes. Bahnforth : We have had a sad mess made of our County here. (Laughter.) Mr H. E. Deane : You spoke of the skilful and permanent manner in which the harbor works at Patea have been constructed. From your knowledge of the financial affairs of the Board, and the interest you have always taken in this harbor, do you think the works have also been economically constructed ? Major: As far as I can judge, but I should not give an opinion of that sort without a thorough knowledge. But being perfectly well acquainted with the financial affairs of the Board, do you think the expenditure from the commencement has been judicious ? Major : As far as a layman can express an opinion, I should say yes. To whom do you principally give credit fdr that judicious expenditure? (Loud applause.) Major : I should suppose the chief credit would be due to the engineer in charge of the work. (Great laughter.) Mr Deane : I refer to the expenditure of the money, not to the construction ? Major : The expenditure on a particular work depends almost entirely on the engineer. It must of necessity. If you have a muff of an engineer, the best Harbor Board in the world will go to the dogs. (Laughter.) Then I imagine j'ou will give the Board credit for their choice of an engineer ? Major : I should, certainly. I want to find out if it is the general impression, as I cannot catch from you what I want— (Voice: Why not ask him a direct question ?) The people of this district and outside have given a great deal of credit for the successful prosecution of these harbor works to Mr Sherwood. (Some applause.) Is it your opinion that he deserves that credit ? Major : I am not going to (Noise in meeting.)

Do you decline to answer ? Major: I decline altogether to express an opinion of the qualifications of Mr Sherwood.

I understood you had taken a great deal of interest in the Patea harbor ?

Major : But I am not going to give my opinion of the individual members of the Board, or of the Chairman of the Board. (Applause.) Mr Deane : Very good, sir. Mr Dale told us the other night that when he visited Wellington the Government told him they could not nominate Mr Sherwood to the Harbor Board. It was then suggested—l don’t know whether by Mr Dale or the Government—that Mr Aitchieon should be nominated by the Town Board. Mr Aitchison declined. I think Mr Adams was next. (Mr Adams : No, I I don’t think Mr Adams had that honor.) Well, Mr Peacock was another, and several till it came to Mr Coutts. (Voice : Bottom of the list.) I should like to ask the object of the Government. I believe the Government may be regarded in this case as the Minister of Marine. I want to know their object in trying to make this arrangement by which, as Mr Dale told us, Mr Sherwood might be retained on the Board ?

Major : The Government nominated to the Board the person who they think will best represent them on the Board, and they are responsible only to the House for that. The nomination is not a local one, nor is any slight cast on a man for not being re-nominated. The rule has been many times followed to not re-nominate the same gentleman. If you ask me whether the Government consider him desirable to represent them on the Board, I say decidedly not. He may be well qualified as a public representative, but not as a nominee of the Government.

Mr Deane : I did not ask why they did not nominate Mr Sherwood. I trusted entirely to Mr Dale’s statement, and I asked why the Government were so anxious to create a vacancy by appointing Mr Aitchison so that the Town Board might return Mr Sherwood ? Major : You should ask Mr Dale for any explanation of that sort. Any advice I give as a Minister I give to the Governor upon that responsibility. I don’t consider I am called upon to explain my reasons for nominating. If I nominate a wrong or incompetent person, I can be called to account.

Mr Deane : I am not speaking of the nomination. (Some interruption in meeting.) You were acting in the capacity of Minister of Marine on that occasion (“Yes”), for the benefit of the colony at large, I presume ? Major : I should say not. Will you allow the Minister of Marine to stand aside, and answer the question as member for Egmont ? Do you consider you were advancing the interest of your constituents by removing Mr Sherwood from the Harbor Board ?

Major: I did not remove him. His term of office had expired. I believe I did my duty in nominating a person who would better represent the Government than Mr Sherwood. (Loud cries of “No!” “ Shame !”

Mr Deane : I only require your opinion. I am much obliged to you. Mr Davis : Were you aware, when you nominated Mr Coutts, that he had been lowest on the poll when seeking election to the Board ?

Major : No, I was not. Mr McCarthy : No, I should think not. (Loud laughter.) Major : Many persons are nominated who would not get to the poll, because they won’t go. Mr Balmforth : Did you vote for an endowment for Timaru harbor ?

Major : No, I think I voted against itYon brought on your Patea Endowment bill some time after. If you had brought it on that time, do you think you would have had anj' chance ? Major : Not the least. I was very careful in watching that. These questions pretty well show that. Mr R. A. Adams : Do you think we are still entitled to any endowment in connection with this harbor ?

Major : I should never put it as entitled, because I should fail altogether. I have stated that I think you ought to have endowments, and I shall take the earliest opportunity to get further endowments. I should not attempt to claim them as a right. Mr Balmforth : Some members of the Harbor Board professed to believe that we were to get 20,000 acres ; but it struck me that was very like Sir George Grey’s carrots and the donkey, (Great laughter.) Mr Davis : Is there any prospect of tenders being called for the line between Waverley and Patea ? Major : Yes, the engineers are ordered to push on and get the tenders out as rapidly as possible. I saw the engineer on the question the day before I came up. (Applause.) Mr Balmforth : Do you think there is any chance of opening the railway to Manutahi within six months ? Major : I should think not within six months. Orders are ’to push it on as quick as possible. Is it settled which route will be taken beyond Manutahi ? Major : No, the route is settled only up to Manutahi. Other questions were asked, and will be printed in due course. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Mr Dale rose and said if there were no more questions he would propose a vote. Mr M’Carthy : Take time, Mr Dale. Mr Balmforth : I think that is a piece of impudence in Mr Dale. It is generally

left to the chair to ask if there are more questions. Voice : Mayor. Chairman asked if there were further questions. Several more questions were then put. Mr Dale rose again and proposed a vote of thanks and confidence, and eulogised Major Atkinson’s services. Mr D. Coutts (received with loud shouts) supported (he meant seconded) the motion, and spoke of his own connection with the Harbor Board by way of rebutting what had been said as to his fitness. Mr M’Carthy also seconded the motion, he not hearing any words by which Mr Coutts expressed the same intention. There was much laughter. Motion put to the voices (the usual test being show of hands). The ayes were many and loud. Only one no. (Loud applause and laughter.) Thanksjto to the chair closed the meeting. It was lively and orderly throughout.