TAPU ROAD.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2782, 14 January 1878, Page 2

TAPU ROAD.

Opening of Borough Section.

A small gathering took place at Fishing Rock to-day to celebrate the completion and opening of a piece of road from Tararu Creek to the boundary of the Borough on the way to Tapu. The contract was given to Mr A. Butler, and embraced the formation and making c? some forty chains of road. At half-past twelve a 'bm and three carriages left the Bank of New Zealand corner with the gentlemen invited, which comprised His Worship the Mayor, the County Chairman, Capt. Fraser, R.M., A. J. Allom, Esq., E. Bullen, Esq., F. C. Dean, Town Clerk ; W. Davies, Chairman ot* Harbor Board; Borough Councillors McGowan, Price and Wilson; County Councillors Thorburu, Spencer j Messrs A. Butler, contractor, D. G. MacDonnell, W. Wilkinson, J. Hopcraft, J. E. Macdonald, D. Philp, and others. At the termination of the road formation a marque had been erected, over which floated the Borough flag. Inside was a sumptuous repast, which the company proceeded to do very substantial justice to, after inspecting the road, and passing opinions on the same. After disposing of the edibles a programme of toas's was disposed of. The Mayor called upon the. company to drink "Her Majesty the Queen," which was received and drunk with cheers.

The Vice-Chairman, Mr Brodie, gave "His Excellency the Governor," which was also received with cheers.

Mr A. J. Allom bad pleasure in proposing the Borough Council. He was sorry it was not in better banda. He had great pleasure in being present at the inauguration of the piece of road, and he hoped it would be continued by the County Council. He would give them the " Borough Council, coupled with the name of his Worship the Mayor." Received with cheers and musical honors, and three cheers for Mrs Kilgour. His Worship the Mayor had hoped his voice would not require to have, been heard, but as his name had been coupled with the toast he could only return his sincere thanks. He could say that for Mrs Kilgour he was only sorry she was not present at such an agreeable gathering. He was able to congratulate them on the event of that day, and thanked Mr Allom for the complimentary proposing of the toast. His Worship the Mayor said he had another toast to propose, that of the "County Council He said up to the present time it had not been their good fortune to meet under such circumstances. He looked forward to such in the future. What they bad commenced it would be for the County to finish, and he had no doubt from the energy they had displayed that this part of the district would not be neglected. The advantage of carrying a road to Mercury Bay had been dilated upon, and he looked upon this day's proceedings as the beginning of such work, and he hoped that in future they-would be able to meet them at the festive board or Council to celebrate some such event.

Drunk with cheers. Mr Brodie returned thanks. He reciprocated the sentiments expressed, that Borough and County should work in harmony to promote settlement by opening roads. The Premier had acknowledged the importance of this work, for only a few days ago ho had received a telegram from the Premier promising £500 towards continuing this work, and £250 for extending it towards Coromandel. They also recognised the importance of completing communication with the East Coast, and steps were being taken to carry that work out. (The Bpeaker then referred to what had already been done in communicating with Waste Lands Board.) He regretted the absence of members of Council and officials, busily employed preparing for carrying out important public works, for which tenders -would be called immediately. He did not think that with money at disposition of County they would bo able to continue work of this road in such a manner as the Borough had made their share, but they would make it so as to enable settlers to

take over their carts and requirements, and he hoped soon they would be able to go further into the County in this direction. He would again thauk them.

Cr Spencer also returned thanks. He said be would do his best to open this County by roads, which would be the making of the County. Cr Thorburn said no part of the County would receive more advantages from this road than the Tapu riding, and and he was grateful for what the Borough had done. He aiao felt grateful to the contractor, and hoped that soon they would be able to drive a bus to Tapu. Mr J. E. Macdonald said the toast he had to propose was that of a body which did not stand before the others in age or procedure. It was the Thames Harbor Board. He thought that it would have been just as well that that body had been less vigorous in its infancy, but aa that action had not met with the approval of the Board, he was assured that they would make up for it in the future, and that fact gave him assurance that his convictions would be proved wrong, and that they would in the future prove ai vigorous and as useful as the other corporations. Drunk with cheers. Mr Davies returned thanks. Their Board had not done much during the last twelve months, but all would admit that they had endeavored to do their best. He believed that every district in New Zealand should be ruled by self-goitrn-ment. He was convinced that durinjftEe next 12 months they would show that they were acting for the benefit of the inhabitants. While acknowledging the benefit of roads he considered that the great ocean highway should be utilised and made the best of. He hoped that the Board about to be elected would be placed in a position to do what had been denied to their predecessors. Again he thanked them. .

Captain Fraser had a toast to propose* aud culled upon them to charge their glasses, but it appeared that there was a misunderstanding, and the next toast was "The Judge of the Assessment Court," to be proposed by Cr McGowan, who said —It was a well known fact that every community had some individual they looked up to. He could say with certainty that this community could look up with esteem to the Judge of the Assessment Court because plaintiff and defendant could come before him with confidence. Tho Judge, it was well known, could bo relied upon.for his integrity and uprightness. He gave them " The Judge of the Assessment Court." Drunk with cheers and' musical honors.

Captain Fraser rose, as in duty bound, to return thanks. He was delighted to see his decisions had given satisfaction. They had not given satisfaction to him, but he ought to be satisfied if the parties were. He thought it was rather unusual to drink judges of any Courts, and he hoped that ho would not be there when such was the custom. He lud a toast to propose. It was "The commercial interests of the Thames," and in this he might say that he hoped the Harbor Board would hot be affected by the remarks made by Mr Macdonald. Let them do as the Borough had done, and get rid of their burdens. He would couple with his toast 'Mr Price, and. the Mayor who was identified with the Pro* duce Company . Mr A. Price returned thanks in a few well chosen words.

The Mayor also thanked them. He was at one with the proposer as to the present prospects of the place. . He thought the district was now in a better position than ever it was. The prospectl of the place were now brighter. The Ministry in power were willing to open roads and lands, and local bodies willing to cooperate with them ; auguries which he hailed with great pleasure. As to the company referred, to the Produce Com* pany, he might say that Captain Fraser was also identified with it, and he believed before him, and if he had the scent of a good pointer, he would be glad to follow ia his steps. Again he thanked them. The Mayor then said he held documents containing details upon the work they had passed over, which a short time ago was not to be passed over. They were now saved much trouble and inconvenience. The road had been carried over a difficult country, but the contractor and the For man of Works had over* come the difficulties. They had made the rough places smooth. The work had been admirably carried out. It had been a matter of doubt .whether the work would be as well carried out in so complete a manner. He was glad to testify the work had been well and carefully done, and he hoped it would be as well continued by the County, He would propose Mr Butler the contractor, and Mr Rawdoa the Foreman of Works, the givers of the feast. Drunk with cheers. Mr Butler returned thanks. He was not very much at speechifying, but he felt he was able to carry out hia contract, and he was glad that that had been acknowledged.

Mr Bawdon said he was a very humble servant of the Borough Council, and he was very glad to see that his services were acknowledged. Mr Butler had been 9 contractor under him for nearly 23 yean, and he bad done his work well. He hoped the remainder of the work to be carried out by 'the County would be done as well. He again thanked them for the^T^ way his health had been drunk. Cr Thorburn propoied ?• The Press." The toast was drunk with cordiality and responded to by representatives present.

Mr D. G. Macdonnell proposed " The mining interests," which he looked upon, as the most important, in so far as all other interests were subsidiary to it. He looked upon the opening of that road as a most important work towards forwarding the Mining Interest. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr Salmon. Drunk with cordiality. Mr J. H. Salmon returned thanks. He thought nothing could do adequate jus* tice to the toasts. (The speaker replied in a humorous speech). Capfci Fraser proposed "The Ladies," coupled with the name of Mr Cliurtqn. It was received with hearty cheers; Mr Churton responded, and expressed the pleasure he felt at being placed in the position to return thanks. This completed the toasts, and while the company wore enjoying the outlook and a smoke, the local Jehus and others enjoyed a feed, after which the company returned (o town and dispersed. Our report of the affair, which was most pleasant, is necessarily curtailed.