PUBLIC MEETING. THE TE AROHA TOWNSHIP TENURE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 296, 5 September 1888, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

THE TE AROHA TOWNSHIP TENURE.

On Monday evening Inst a public meeting of To Aroba residents was held in tho Public Hall in accordance with an imitationm itation fiom the chairman of the Town Board, to consider the correspondence, etc., which has recently passed between the L'onul and ]\fr Lipsey with respect fo an alteiation in the Form of tenure in the township allotment:}. There was n large and Representative attendance. The chaiiman of (ho Town JBonrd (Mr Dobson) opened the proceedings by leading- theadverlisemonl which had appeared in the A iioha. and Oh inemuiu News convening the meet ing, nn.l stated what the Town Boar.l had done in this matter. ICe roforvetl to iho public meeting held re tho same subject a year or so ago, at whitha committee was appointed to take action in tho matter, bnfc nothing sntis-l\u-toiy resulted from tho nppointinp; of the committee, nnd the chairman of that

commit too (Mi* Pavitt) thought it advisable the Town Bp&d 'should move in the matter. The ' Board did so, and it was to 'consider Mr Mjipsey's reply to inquiries njaclo by the Board that the meeting had been convened. At" this f*stago it was unanimously resolved ihnif Mr Dobson be appointed chairman for the meeting-. Tlie Chairman* next read the letler sent by tho Town Board to Mr Lipaoy re the land tenure, also Mr Lipsey's reply to same, as published in the Nisws of Saturday last, upon which, discussion was then invited. The Chairman said as a representative of the To Aroha Town Board, he would like to havo fin expression of opinion by tho meeting in tho matter, as it was a question of much importance. "T It was for the meeting to decide whether thoy wished tho Town Board to take further action in the matter or not. After a shoit delay Mr J, Mills rose to ask if the Board had ascertained ■whether Mr Lipsey had power to grant leases in perpetuity, thus binding his children in tiie matter, for whom he was guardian. He also asked whether tho Native Lands Acts recenUy passed affected the question. He suggested that this be ascertained from Government, and that tho meeting be adjourned for a week pending the reply. Mr Dobson said there had been legislation with regard to native lands, but lie did not know how far it would affect tho present question. By communicating with Government he had no doubt all these points could bo satisfactorily settled. Mr F. Pavitt moved, 'That tho action taken by the Town Boaid towards obtaining more satisfactory tenure be confirmed by tho meeting.' The motion was seconded by Mr Dillon and carried unanimously. The Chairman said lie considered it was very advisable to communicate to the Nativo Minister on the subject. Mr J. M. Mm my thought if a 99 year lease hud been asked for, it would have come under tho Nativo Acts dealing with these matters. He considered that in taking up this business tho Town Board were taking too much upon them, and was of opinion that a committee should be fuinied by the meeting to act in the matter, a3 be thought it would not be Advisable to leave the consideration of the whole question to the Town Board, particularly as tho Board was about to be dissolved and new commissioners elected. Rev. £. Lawry remarked that ft very similar difficulty arose at Greymouth a few years ago, when the leases had nearly run out, but application was made to Government on tho subject, and by means of spscial legislation tho difficulty was satisfactorily settled. Ho thought tho present timo rather unfavourable for I moving in the matter, seeing that important charges with respect to the Native Department were about to take place. Mr Mills moved ' That tho Chaiiman communicate with the Native Minister asking him if the trustee for the owners ! of Te Arohft township has power to grant leases in perpetuity.' Before this motion was put to the meeting, Mr Hanis asked the Chairman to read clauses G5 and 187 of the Mining Act of 1880, (ns these clauses dealt with the renewal of leases fiom time to time) as bearing on tho question. It was pointed out that these renewals were subject to re-valuations and other conditiors as may be prescribed from time to time by tho regulations. Mr J. llolfc said no hnrm could result from carrying out Mr Mills' proposition, ! but he thought there could bo no doubt whatever on the point it referred to, and ! that undoubtedly Mr Lipsey had not the power to grant lenses in perpetuity at tho present time ; if he had there would bo no need for tho present action in the matter. Mr Ilotfc also refoned to the stand Mr Lipsey had taken with respect to thi3 subjtct and spoke of the very liberal spirit he had evinced, Ho thought the thanks of tho meeting should be conveyed to Mr Lipsey for the willingness he had shosvn to afford overy possible assistance and security to residents and others wishing to invest and erect better buildings by endeavouring to introduce a more suitable tenure for the land. A seconder to Mr Mills' motion was called, and Mr Mackie responded. The motion was then put to the meeting, and, upon a show of hands being taken, it was cariied by eight to five. Mr "Whitehouso moved, and Mr Ilott seconded, 'That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Lipsey for the willingness he baa shown towards assisting local residents to procure a better tenure for the Te A roll a township allotments.' The motion was carried unanimously, Mr F. Pavitb proposed, and Mr Murray seconded, 'That the Town Boerd be requested to continue their efforts in the direction of. endeavouring to have a more satisfactory tenure obtained.' In moving tho proposition, Mr Pavitt said it was all very well appointing com mittees, but they could not do as much good as tho local governing body. The Committee acting on behalf of the Town Board had already done good by their interviews with Mr Lipsey, which had resulted in his expressing his willingness to grant leases in perpetuity. | The motion was carried neni. con. Mr Mills proposed that tho meeting stand adjourned for a week, ponding the | reply from tho Government to tho | Chairman's communication, so Lhnb the question of further action might bo con- | sidercd by tho meeting, and not left , entirely to tho Tcwn Board to deal with i as they thought fit. The cba'rman said that as a member

of tlio Town Board he distinctly objected to act as proposed by Mr Mills, and ho felt sure the meeting would rely upon Iho .Donrd faithfully attending to the matter. Mr Holt considered ifc unfair to attempt to thus bind down the chairman to onll a pnblic mooting at every stage of the proceedings. Various communications might pn?s between tlio Board, and Government, etc., before the- matter I advanced much further. The chairman i of the Town Board was surely the most competent judge as to when it was necessary to convene another public meeting and report progress. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. The chairman stated lie would make it his business to communicate with the Nalive Minister as desired in the resolutions passed. Mr Pavitt proposed and Mr Johnson seconded a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation. The proceedings then terminated.