OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 115, 13 May 1903, Page 3

OPUNAKE.

(Oar Own Correspondent.) Ah already stated, the public meeting, convened for the purpose of considering thi proposed extension of the New Plymouth breakwater and improving the harbour facilities, was held in the foresters' Hall on Siturday afternoon. Mr S. Forsyth (chairman of the Opnnake hunch of the Farmers' Union and of tire recently Jormed Egmont County) occupied the chair and controlled proceedings. Mr Xambie (a well known farmer of Pihama) suggested that Mr Maxwell (the representative, of these parts on the Harbour Board) should give an address, which proposal was agreeable to Mr Maxwell. Mr Maxwell reviewed the position of affaits from the days of the Pro . vincial Government right up to and beyond the present. Be carefully avoided all reference to tbe sand-pump, . but laid alarge share of blame upon the late Sir Harry Atkinson, who,'he asserted, said that the harbour rate would not be struck for more than two ■years, and that when settlers purchased their lands they did so with that idea b.-fore them, and were suffering ever since. The harbour affairs were at sixes and sevens, out of order and out of touch with the people, until th country members of the Harbour Board were returned by the people. He contended that it was impossible (whatever amount of money might be spent) to make the New Plymouth harbour capable of accommodating Home-going vessels, and urged the ratepayers to resist any attempt to impose further ' rating. A resolution on these lines was catried by the meeting, a league formed to checkmate the New Ply-' mouth Harbour League, and to frus trate any attempt to get a further loan for harbour improvements. Mr George Rogers has been appointed clerk to the Egmont County Council out of four applicants for the position.