TAPU.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3519, 6 April 1880, Page 2

TAPU.

PUBLIC MEETING.

A meeting of the inhabitants of Tapu, Hastings, was held in the public hall on Saturday, the 3rd inst. On the motion of Mr E. M. Hawkes, seconded by Mr Newby, Mr John Biley was called upon to preside. The Chairman stated that the object of the meeting was to endeavor to get a main road up the Tapu Creek Creek, and he would call upon Mr E. M. Hawkes, the convener, to address the meeting. ' Mr E. M. Hawkes said that he was pleased to see so many attend the meeting, as it showed that the object was i one of interest to all, and in a lengthy address pointed out the necessity of urging upon the County Council the great necessity of a main road up the Tapu Creek; that the Creek now furnished work for nearly all the inhabitants; that already a number of settlers have, and others are about to, take up land there, and he felt sure he need not tell them that in the present state of the road how utterly impossible it would be during the winter months to bring out produce and material, Mr Hawkes then read a letter which he had addressed to the Ereniag Star, stating his idea of what, would be required, and said he would now like to hear the opinion of the meeting. Mr James Bennett said that he cordially endorsed the views of Mr Hawkes. He said that he was one of the first to start the idea of getting the land opened under the Homestead Act, and had taken a good deal of trouble in keeping the matter on the board, and when it was brought to a successful termination he was there to meet the ranger with his application, and was astonished to find that bis application

could not be entertained unless he was prepared to pay with same the survey fees. He was under the impression that the money would be required when the land was surveyed, and he would then Lave been prepared to pay it. He said there appeared nothing in the regulations as to this condition, and he felt it hard that after living in Tapuso long, waiting for this opportunity, he should at the last be stopped selecting the piece of land he had fixed upon by this unexpected obstacle. A stranger better posted than himself should walk in and take up the land that he had fixed upon. He felt that some remonstrance should be used, and that a resolution should be passed upon this subject. Mr Kobert Wells said that as he had done all the carting that had been done upon the present road it would not be out of place in stating that it would be impossible to use a dray on the road during the winter months in the present state of the road.

Mr Joieph Jones said he heartily concurred with the previous speakers, he felt sure that if something was not done to the road, that he and his mates would be compelled to abandon their bash work during the winter months, through the impossibility of getting the material to market, that even as it was in the summer months, his party had constantly to repair same in places, besides making a considerable extension to. the rotd to reach the place where they were working. He had listened with pleasure to the reading of the letter in the "Star," and thought Mr Hawkes had fairly stated the requirements. He also felt the grievance mentioned by Mr Bennett, as it had placed himself and others in the same predicament; and he thought the Waste Lands Board should grant an extension of time, as the im> provements on the land would in itself be a sufficient guarantee. Mr Chas. Ludwig said that whilst endorsing, the opinions that lie had heard*, said that he was a settler with a family, and thought that the previous speakers had^omitted a matter of the greatest importance—namely, the utter impossibility in the present state of the road, with its numerous Creek crossings tnd the dangerous foot-tracks, of the children being able to attend the school, and hoped that the result of this meeting would eventuate in the County Council complying with what appeared to be the want of the whole of the inhabitants. -

Mr Hawkes proposed the first resolu* tion, that a respectful memorial be forwarded immediately to the County Council, andsignedbytheChairmanonbehalfofthe meeting, requesting them to construct the dray-road on the Bouth side of the creek throughout and continue same to Blaok Swan or a further extent of a mile from present termination. Carried unanimously. *

Mr Bennett proposed that a petition be forwarded to Auckland Waste Lands Board, requesting that the surrey charges on land under the Homestead Act in Waikawau Block be not enforced for twelve months from date of application. Carried. ' f •-';', Mr Newby proposed that a copy of the minutes of the meeting be forwarded ta each of the local papers, requesting their influence in carrying out the object in view. "* Mr Hawkes proposed, a.ncl Mr Jones seconded a rote of thanks to the Chairman and Secretary (Mr J. Newby) which , was carried unanimously.