CONFERENCE MEETING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 226, 3 September 1884, Page 2

CONFERENCE MEETING.

A meeting of the Conference re railway and harbor matters was held at the Borough Council Chambers last evening. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and the other gentlemen present were Messrs. Rees, Moore, Townley, Lewis, Kenny, Ferris, Hepburn, Joyce, Brown, Chambers, and Smith. His Worship stated what had been done so far, and asked Mr. Rees to enlighten the meeting. Mr. Rees explained the position so far as it had gone. He thought it very necessary that a deputation should be sent to Wellington with the petition. Everything was in favor of the petition being successfully dealt with. The members for the district had their time fully occupied with Parliamentary work and the deputation would be much better able to forward the interests of the district than

the members alone could do. He had heard that Mr. Fenton, who was here recently, had spoken in favor of the necessity of further assistance being given towards pushing on the work of the Native Land Court. He doubted if a more favorable opportunity could have occurred for the furtherance of the objects sought by the petition. It had been deemed inadvisable to forward the petition until both bodies were prepared to do their utmost in the matter of support. His Worship said the question of sending a deputation to Wellington was only one of expense, and it was for the meeting to determine whether it should be done. Mr. Smith was satisfied that it was useless to send down the petition unsupported by a deputation. It could not be expected that gentlemen who had already taken so much, trouble should be called upon to find expenses also.

Mr. Chambers thought the movement was a very good one. They had never got anything but formal answers hitherto, and now they wanted payment of arrears due to them. The public meeting had already decided that a deputation should be sent to Wellington. It was probable that a select committee would be appointed, and men of experience would be required to give evidence before them. Whoever the deputation were their expenses should be paid. Urgent as the matter was it would not be worth going to Wellington until some settled Government had been formed. His own name and that of the Mayor had been mentioned, but he would be glad if someone else could take his place. Mr. Rees would do much towards forwarding the objects sought, and he would ask them to include Mr. Rees’ name in the deputation. Mr. Ferris was sure both Councils would willingly vote sufficient to cover the expenses. As soon as parties were settled down there would be every chance of getting it through. He knew from experience how hard Mr. Rees could work in a matter of that sort and would support his name as one of the deputation. Mr. Rees—lt would be better to be too soon than too late. It would be known by tomorrow night whether the prospective Ministry was to be allowed to stand. If by Friday they knew the Ministry was likely to stand, it would be advisable to go at once. The heads of local bodies should be present in Wellington by all means. A week might make all the difference, and the nearer they got to the top of the list the better chance they had of success.

The Chairman thought the question as to when they should go to Wellington might be left to the gentlemen appointed as a deputation.

Mr. Townley proposed “ That his Worship the Mayor, Mr. Chambers (Chairman of County Council), and Mr. Rees be appointed a deputation, and that their expenses be paid by the two Councils.” Mr. Ferris seconded.

Mr. Joyce thought the amount of expenses should be fixed. Mr. Tutchen said a sum should be set aside.

Mr. Lewis did not see how a sum could be set aside. Members would not like to come away leaving the work half done. There was little fear of the deputation being in any way extravagant. It might safely be left in the hands of the delegates. Mr. Smith thought such a discussion most undignified. Several other- gentlemen spoke on the question.

Mr. Townley’s motion was carried unani mously. The meeting then adjourned.