PIGEONGRAMS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2817, 23 February 1878, Page 2

PIGEONGRAMS.

ohiheicvbx.,

(FBOM OUB OWN COBBISPONDENT.)

Pabboa, Friday.

A largely attended meeting was held last night at the Criterion Hotel, Paeroi, to discuss the question of main lines of road to the Thames, Ac, with a view to bringing the matter under the notice of the County authorities. Mr F. Lipsey was called to the chair, and explained the business to be gone through, Mr, T. Shaw also gave information as,to works, in progress. Mr G. 8. O'Halioran was appointed as' secretary to the meeting. Op the motion of Mr T. Logan, seconded by Mr T. Jackson, it was resolred to ask. the County Council to discontinue the work on the Paeroa-Puke road, as it would not be practicable for traffic for a .very long time, and would cost an immense amount of money, being principally through deep swamp. On the motion of Mr J.. M. Robson it was resolved to urge upon the County Council the immediate necessity of completing the communication with- the Thames; by making the road on the line laid off by the County Surveyor,- as shown on plan. Mr H. D. Johnson said that -the,district would require more roads' than 'one/ It was sometimes necessary to go to the Junction or the Puke landing, and if the present Paeroa-Puke road was to be abandoned he thought that across roai from the Puke boundary, in the direction of Logan's farm, should.be laid off. It would suit all parties, as it would join the main road to the Thames at about right angles, and would traverse dry ground nearly the whole way. Another cross' road, parallel to the first, could bejaid off, if found necessary, to the Ohinemuri i Junction. Messrs j. M. Coote and J. H. Mahoney thought that the question of cross or by-roads should be put on one. side. The object of tbe meeting was to get the main road to tbe Thames pushed on without delay, and all money at present, available should, be spent in that direction. Eventually the following gentlemen were appointed as a deputation to wait upon the County Chairman and Councillors, namely—Messrs F. Lipsey (chairman), G.S. O'Halioran (secretary), J. M. Hobaon, J. H. Mahoney, J. M. Coote, H. D. Johnson, T;- Jackson, and T. Logan. Votes of thanks to the Chairman, Secretary, Mr Johnson (for plan shown), and Messrs Cassrels and Bennett (for use of room), brought the'proceed* ings to a r close. The deputation then proceeded to the. Paeroa Hotel to wait upon the County Chairman, but, owing to the absence of Councillor Mitchell, that gentleman did not think it would be right to go into the matter. If the deputation would place their views in writing and lay them before the Council through either of the representatives of the Biding, they would receive due consideration. A desultory conversation then ensued, and the County Chairman gave his vie*a as to the opening up of the County, and stated that the meeting at Te Aroha had been a great success. The deputation strongly impressed upon the County Chairman and Councillor Spencer that they did not wish to convey' to their minds .that Councillor Mitchell did not possess their confidence. On the contrary, they thought he was the best man in the district to fill that position, and had done well: •"■•

This day, 11.30 a.m:' : I sent you yesterday an account of a meeting which, had been held on Thursday night to discuss the question of main lines of road. When the deputation appointed waited upon the County Chairman, they were requested to take action through one of the representatives of the Ohinemuri Biding. The following ii a copy of the correspondence which has passed between Mr Gr. S. O'Halloran, Hon. Secretary to the meeting, and Mr C. F. Mitchell, M.T.C.C. for the Siding of Ohinemuri, with reference to the matter: —

Paeroa, February 22nd, 1878.—C. FMitchell, Esq., C.C., Ohinemuri.--Dear Sir,—l have been requested by Mr F. Lipsoy, chairman of a public meeting held here last evening, to enclose you a copy of the resolutions passed at said meeting, and to request you, as bur representative in the County Council, to lay our wishes before that body at their next meeting. Trusting that wo may rely on your co-operation and support in this matter, which we consider of so much importance, I remain, dear sir, yours truly, G. S. O'Balloban. Hon. Sec.'

Paoroa, Oct. 22nd, ] 878, —My dear Sir,—-I hate to acknowledge receipt of your favor of this day's date, covering resolutions of public meeting, of which Mr F. Lipsey was Chairman, and suggesting that the main line of road be at once proceeded with. The Chairman and the meeting must surely havojjeen aware that no line of road has been' fixed upon, or can be fixed upon, in present circumstances. Whether the residents of Paeroa approve or disapprove of the. Puke-Paeroa road, I shall most assuredly do all in my power to have it carried out. It is a road decided upon after the most mature consideration ; it is eminently, for the advantage of the public—indeed, no road in this district is more a public question, because it embraces the interest of every one, whether trader or gettler. It is no part of my business j as a member for this Hiding to consider whether or not such a road will answer the views of private speculators iv land ; it is part of my business to see that no mere speculative interest acquired subsequent to the time at which tbis road was laid out by Mr James Mackay and Captain Turner, with my own assistance and full approval, be not now abandoned. It is quite evident to me that in some way there was a misapprehension as to the question before the meeting. The Puke-

Faeroa road may or may not be^^^^H a portion of the Thames and *^^^H main line ; that is a matter for th^^^^f Engineer to decide \ but that the^^^H be a landing place at the Puk^^^H therefore, a road to Paeroa is a conc^^^| which requires neither a gost nor a [ft^H sophcr to arrive at. As to the me in Tha^H md Tauranga line, Mack ay and TurneS line, and Ailken's line run parallel, tn^ one being from ten to forty chains nearer the base of the ranges thau the other. Both are alike stopped by a natire diffi•ulty, at the moment insurmountable. In this case a portion of the line objected to is Mr Mackay's line, iiequesting that you will do me the favor to communicate this to the Chairman of the meeting and the gentlemen interested, believe me to be, yours Tcry truly, C. F. Mitchell.—G 8. O'HaHoran, Esq.