Mr McDonald at Tologa Bay

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1007, 3 December 1881, Page 2

Mr McDonald at Tologa Bay

[From Our Own Correspondent], Mr. Adlan McDonald addressed a meeting of Electors at Tologa Bay on Saturday evening. There were present a goodly number of Electors. Mr Mullooly was voted to the chair. Mr McDonald said, that having only just arrived from Tokomaru, he

was not prepared to make a set address, and only touched on one or two points previously spoken on elsewhere.

With regard to the Land Company, Mr McDonald would support it in so far as he was able, where he saw that it would not encroach on private holders ; but should any attempt be made in any way to interfere with them in their present holdings, he would not be a party to such a thing. He was iu favor of a Harbor for Gisborne ; a Registration of Deeds Office, and a Native Laud Court, for the district; and he thought that the present unsettled state of land and titles might be remedied. Mr. McDonald spoke warmly on these points as being of direct interest to the district as a whole. The subdivision of lands required to be proceeded with, and this matter he would also bring before the Government, and urge them to make arrangements for this being speedily accomplished. In alluding to the charge that had been made against him in his action re the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill, Mr McDonald contended that he had acted for the good of the district, and though he may have voted with the Government, he had not voted against the Bill, but for it.

It was necessary that some money should be spent in the district, and Mr McDonald alluded to the sums placed on the estimates for expenditure in this electorate, and alleged his claim as the means of the grants being made. This called forth sundry cries of dissent, and no satisfaction appeared to be given by Mr McDonald’s explanations. With regard to the Waste Lands, he would strenuously endeavor to have these placed under the control of a local body, and would generally support any scheme for dealing with Waste Lands, andother lands (Native) that would benefit the East Coast. In reality Mr McDonald said little more than is contained in his printed electoral address, and at the conclusion some few questions were asked, more of a personal nature than otherwise, and the meeting was inclined to be “ warm.”

A vote of thanks were passed to Mr. McDonald for his addre s. also to the Chairman, and the meeting then closed.