MEETING AT WAIORONGOMAI.

Te Aroha News, Volume 64, Issue II, 23 August 1884, Page 2

MEETING AT WAIORONGOMAI.

On Thursday evening last Mr E. K. Cooper, one of the candidates for the vacant ?eat on the Piako Comity Council, addressed the electors at Lawless's Hotel. There was a good attendance. Mr W. F. Hunt was moved to the chair. Mr Hunt made a few suitable remarks introducing the candidate, wlio, on coining forward to address his audience, was greeted with applause. Mr Cooper said he had not purposed coming forward as a candidate for the vacant seat, but his friends insisted on his doing so, and in consenting he did so on the understanding that he would not ask anyone for his vote. Through mismanagement in various ways, our mines and district generally had got into discredit, and it would be necessary for them all to pull together to set things right again. The labourer was worthy of his hire, and coercion should not bo allowed. As regards the Piako County Council they appeared to be in a regular mess, considerable disunion amongst themselves, with no means at their disposal, in fact almost bankrupt, whilst the work they had taken in hand was dtill unfinished, incomplete, and had to go to the pawnshop. He read the report of the last meeting of the Council at Cambridge. He really did not see how the Council wjere going to get out of their trouble, they must borrow, for he did not see l>ow they could increase their revenue. Tney^ would have to let the tramway by contract, subject to occasional inspection. He would advocate the payment of all wages monthly and punctually. He would urge Government to hasten the completion of the line from Morrinsville to Te Aroha. They must have a really good road formed connecting the two townships. He thought it a great injustice that miners should have to pay £l a year for the privilege of working for 8s a day. He would, if returned, give all possible enc >uragement to the introduction of new capital, and oppose obstruction in any anl every form. More batteries and ciicaper crushing charges was what was wanted to develope the; held. He considered the opposition to the erection of another battery by Mr Ferguson and parly, and also to the forming of the road in connection therewith, as very mean. In reply to questions, Mr Cooper said he did not think there would be any advantage in fortnightly payment of wages. Men should be paid regularly each month. He was not in favour of a surveyor being appointed over tramway, a practical hardworking man would be best for manager. Did not think the Council had the means to make a direct road to Waiorongomai from Waitoa, and hardly thought it would be any advantage. Did not think anything would be gained by separation from the rest of the county, unless by the formation of Waiorongomai and Te Aroha into a borough, which he would not object to. Proposed by Mr A. F. James, seconded by Mr Thos. Kirker, That , Mr E. K. Cooper is a fit and proper to represent this district on the Piako County Council. Carried, nem. con.