The Coromandel Electorate.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4038, 7 December 1881, Page 2

The Coromandel Electorate.

One of the aspirants for the honour of representing the* above electorate in the next House of Representatives is Mr Alexander Brodie, the Chairman of the Thames County Council. It has been urged by many that this gentleman has not done sufficient for the benefit of the district to entitle him to,a seat in the House. This asseveration has been made by people interested in the other candidates in the field, and it is only justice to Mr Brodie to say that it is utterly without foundation in tact. As an example of the admirable works that the present County Chairman has been the means of obtaining for the benefit of the district we would mention the following :—For years previous to tho the introduction of the County system, Mr Brodie's chief aim was to open up the vast terra incognita in the vicinity of the goldfield, perceiving clearly that such work would stimulate men to prospect for gold in hitherto on* knpwn parts. The impecuniosity of the Highway Boards was the principal barrier to the development of this scheme and not until the County System was brought into general use, did an opportunity present itself with any prospect of success. From the time since its inauguration Mr Brodie has determinedly advocated the movement, and as an illustration of the success that has attended his efforts it may be as well to mention that he has opened up the back country from the Candlelight, beyond the Vulcan for the purposes of prospecting and likewise for settlement where men who have been looking for land, and failed to find it in the immediate vicinity of the goldfield had, to go back and prospect for land suitable for settlement between Punga Flat and Tapu. These men after considerable outlay and expense and loss of time, at last discovered that under the Homestead Act, a block of land was set apart for them under the provisions of which they could take up an area of 300 acres, which they have done. Mr Brodie feeling that it was necessary to give these men an outlet to G-rahamstown from where they could get their provisions and other necessaries, decided to open up a track on the main range from Punga Flat to what is known as Patterson's clearing, and invoked Government aid for that purpose supplemented £1 for £1 by the Thames County Council. The result is that the settlers can now without difficulty pack provisions, tools and other necessaries direct to their homesteads, without fear of any accident occuring in the transit. Previous to this road being made the settlers used to take the Tararu track which is rendered almost impassable by broken bridges, slips, etc., for the purpose of reaching the settlements. The County Chairman intends prospecting the Puru creek as it is understood gold has been found in payable quantities in that locality. With the object of fostering goldmining operations in this part, tracks have been cut from the head of the main line of road so as to give every facility to prospecting parties. But, independent of the immense advantages that Mr Brodie has been instrumental in bestowing on the mining community, it would be well to ask any unbiassed elector to consider the many large sums of money he has by hia exertions gained for the district. Ever since the County system came in vogue he has annually been successful in obtaining grants of money, and no doubt if returned his energies would be redoubled in gaining for the people a fair share of the public revenue.