Thames Literal Association.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3429, 18 December 1879, Page 3

Thames Literal Association.

A special meeting of the members of the above was held afc the Hauraki Club rooms last evening. The President said the meeting had been called for the purpose of considering the following proposition, emanating from Mr Stephenson:—"That the present constitution of the Waste Lands Board is worn oat and effete, and the time is come when an Elective Board of one member from every Couuty throughout the Colony should exercise their discretion in Administering the disposal of the Waste Lands of the Grown."

Mr Stephenson said his reason for moving the resolution was to have the natter of the constitution of the Waste Lands Board discussed by tie Association. He believed that the Board should be elective, and that the present system did not possess the confidence of the majority of the people of the Auckland province. He read an extract from our issue of last &ight,Bhowing how tUe land of the colony wa» being absorbed. He said under the present system the Boards were too conservative and the sooner they were deposed the better for the country.—Mr W. McCillough seconded the resolution projbrmii, and in doing so said he did not agree with the latter portion of it. He suggested ithat in place of the Waste Land Board the Minister of Lands should be responsible, and have the control of the waste lands of the Crown, Officers of his department might be appointed in the principal centres of population. He j pointed out that under the present system j no one wai responsible, and the Waste Ltnd Boards did pretty well what they liked. .' eMsvWood moved as an amendment— "That this meeting is of opinion that the Waste Lands Boards.should le abolished, •ad iniiea. Ihereof, jthat district land offices be established in the large centres of population, under the supervision of the Minister of Lands." Mr Lay don seconded. - Mr Smith supported. He preferred the idea of, district- offices to elective Boards. ! ' The. President pointed out that an expression of the opinion of the Association in the administration of Waste Lands at present was too early and too late—too late for the present Parliament and too early, for. the next, Mr McGowan disbelieved the accusations of maladministration against the Board. He : did not think Mr McCullough's suggestion would be work* able.

Mr Denby, as a case in point, gave a brief history of the attempted monopoly of the * Tairua gum field by the Union Sash ,and Door Company, and the action of the Waste Lands Board, with reference

thereto. He mored as a further amend-ment:—-"That a respectful address from X this Association be presented to the Governor, stating the Waste Lands Board does not possess the confidence of the majority of the people, and that it be dissolved; and an Elective Board, composed of members from each County, with"district land offices, be established." r After some diicussion, Mr McGowan isot#<l ai a further amendment " that the mettinf affirms the desirability of haying the board elective and the establishment

of district^ land offices.—Mr McAndrevr ._ia««^LiV "i-.. ' , , -_ ■■„ On beiftgfiml to ihe TotejMr,Woods amendment was carried. It was Tesolred, on the motion of? the Yiee-President, " That, upon requisition being made, in terms of rule 9, for a special meeting to be called, those signing the requisition •hallo upon presenting it, pay to the Secretary a sum sufficient to cover the cost of adrertising sneh meeting once in •aeh of the local papers. The meeting then adjourned.