MATHEW HAY, Esq., M.P.C., AT TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 2, 22 February 1868, Page 2

MATHEW H AY, Esq., M.P.C., AT TAPANUI.

T. he Member for THkatip District pah, a visit to Tapanni on "Wednesday, 12tli^ February, when the inhabitants took the opportunity of calling a public"- meeting, which was held in the TowriHall. Mr. Strein occupied the chair, and Introduced the business of the evening by remarking that this was now the second tirae Mr. Hay had visited the district since thxrelection, which showed -he had the interest of the district at heart. Moreover, they must all be aware' that at the election of Mr. Hay for the district, there was not one single opposing vote in the township of Tapanui. He (the Chairman) would not take up the time of the meeting any longer, but had much pleasure in calling upon Mr. Hay to address the meeting. On rising tv address the meeting, Mr. Hay said it was not his intention to make them a long speech on this occasion. He was there to hear from themselves the wants of the district more than to make them a speech. However, he would merely remark that the land appeared to him to be the great question among them, and he might state that he was therefore in favor of throwing a part of that district into the goldfields, as it had been proved that there was a large track of this district highly auriferous. Moreover, by declaring a portion of Tapanui district , into tho goldfields' they 'will then have a right to come under the agricultural leasing system, which would be highly beneficial to the poor man, and and bo the means of settling him on the land. Mr. Hay expressed hinvelf in favor of a new Land Bill;" whereby the people might be settled on the land, which' would, to a great "extent, do away with the enonnous.suflT of money that is placed on the esliassftes year after year for emigration/" With reference to the road, -he did not believe that the present route that was taken by Mr. Smail was of any good to the Tapanui township, in. A3 much that the road through the gorge wa3 at least tea miles nearer Tuapeka. Mr. Paterson said that he would like to hear so nothing more about.the land. For his part he did not believe in leasing i the land. He would sooner see it sold right off. ! A VoiC3 : He's all right ; h^a got eighty acre 3of land in Tapanui. "Mr. Hay, in answer to Mr. Paterson, said that in support of the benefits of the leasing syßtem, he would merely refer to the {Teat amount of good that the system rnaa-^vromy—m — urrer — ctapuair uucnci: — — H/I had been the means of settling hundreds of people in happy homes in that district, whereas, had the system of leasing nnt existed, ho doubted very much if Lawrence to-day would not have been a deserted village instead of the large incorporated town which it now is. — (Hoar, hear). It was then proposed by Dr. 17 ivbn-, and s^cop'l - 1 l -, £&• v.-«-w -*« T.w -his meet: .. is of opinion th'.t 4,<VW acres** should be ducLired a p''!dlie]d, th* other 4,00-} acres U, bs aoU for frooliolds." After a long discussion the moihi wi put from the chair, and cay o i Mr. Price wished to knov v. iVir. nay was aware of abridge having been erected in this district without having any approach to it ? Mr. Hay had heard of tho bridge, and would see what could bo done about it. Mr Mountain asked if the township ;vns to be s )ld. Mf . Hay, in reply, said that he bolieved the township would be sold in the c mrse of two months time, as the plan of the township had just been completed. ■ Mr. M'Lbiland : What about police protection for Tapanui? Mr. Hay answered that the contract had been accepted by the Government for building; the camp, 'but they could not account for the delay in carrying it but. Mr. Strein said that "they felt the want of a magistrate very much indeed. If they could only have a visit from the magistrate of Switzsr's, say once every fortnight, it would confer a great benefit on the district. Mr. Hay promised to seeinjj^^^ matter as