M. HAY, ESQ., M.P.C. AT SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 58, 20 March 1869, Page 5

M. HAY, ESQ., M.P.C. AT SWITZERS.

On the evening of Thursday, the 4th Mr., t Hay, Member for, the Wakatip District, addressed his conBtituentß in the Assembly Room of fiunter's Crown Hotel, Switzers. There was a large attendance of dig- . gers and others. Mr. George Bailey called to ; the chair, and in a few appropriate words introduced Mr. Hay. The following is a summary of that gentleman's address, and some of the principal questions asked at the close of it. He felt in duty bound to pay Switeers a visit before 1 the Provincial Council met ; and so, although there on business, he could not allow the opportunity to pass of addressing his constituents. It would be remembered that when he went into the Council, there" was no road between Tuapeka and Switzers. A good road had now been made. When he went into the Council, there was no revenue received . by the 'Government from Switzers; now there was a revenue. He had • succeeded in establishing direct postal communication between Switzers and Dunedin by way of Tuapeka. An , escort had also been established — in fact, everything the District had asked for he had been the means of obtaining for it. (Applause). Another matter closely affecting the miners of Switzers was the subsidy to Goldfields Hospitals. The G-overnment tried its best

to reduce the subsidy from three to bne to two to one. Against this ho * Worked hard, and brought a resolution before the Council that the subsidy remain at three to one, which, he was glad to say, was carried. Last session there was a great cry for retrenchment, and he made a fair beginning. He moved, in Committee of Supply, that the Superintendent's salaiy be reduced by £200, which was carried, as also a similar resolution reducing the salaries of the Provincial Secretary and Secretary for Lands and Works. *Dhere was also a cry last session to go to the country — nothing would satisfy fcome but a dissolution-. He was amongst that number ; but he regretted that after the close of the session his was the only voice that was heard advocating a dissolution and genei'al election. Immigration waa a subject that had occupied the attention of every sensible man in the Province. He opposed putting the enormous sum pf JB 15.000 on the estimates towards Immigration — his objection being that the ayßtem was bad, aB it only brought a class of paupers to the country, who We?e obliged to go and work on the roads for a Bum hardly sufficient to keep life in ,them. He would encourage immigration by offering cheap land as an inducement, when a really Valuable class of immigrants would flock to the country. (Applause). He was glad that some land had been thrown open at Switzers ; and although, through the retrenchment in the Survey Department, they had been deprived of Mr. Prentiss, still, he thought the Government would soon supply his place by sending some one to survey the leases applied for. Before sitting down he drew the attention of ' his audience to the electoral forms, which should be filled up and returned by the 30th March, and urged upon them the necessity of availing themselves of their right. Mr. Hay then •stated that he would be glad to reply to any questions that might be put to him. Mr. G-raham asked if Mr. Hay considered 10s. a head for cattle a sufficient amount to be paid to the squatters. Mr. Hay replied in the affirmative ; ;and said that should the squatter demand 205." a head, steps should be taken to withdraw the particular runs from the goldfields, and throw them into hundreds. Mr. Graham : Are you in favour of the fifty-acre lease system ? Mr, Hay: I amj but I hold the settler has still a right to commonage. Mr. De Carle: Do you think the •quatter should be allowed to monopolise all the best of the waste lands of New Zealand ? Mr. Hay: The squatters have a Tight only until population increases to such an extent that the land is required, when it should at once be .opened. -Mr. De Carle:" Are you aware that ja deal of jobbery has been carried on by the Government and certain &P.C.'s? ' .

Mr. Hay : lam not aware of it. ' Mr. De Carle : Do you think that ihe Waste Lands Board, as it exists, is for the benefit of the country ? Mr. Hay : I believe it is not, and will not be so long as the members of the Executive constitute that Board. In order to get rid of Mr. Cutten, then Chief Commissioner of "Waste Lands * -Board, I moved in Committee of Sup- - ply that his salary be reduced. The resolution, however, was lost. I also :„ brought forward a resolution to amalgamate the "Waste Lands Board and 4;ho Survey Department, which has since been carried into effect.

Mr. De Carle : What steps will you take to alter the present "Waste Lands Board. . ' Mr.' Hay : By calling upon the members of the Executive to resign their seats as members of the "Waste Xands Board, and by having a popular election excluding members of the BxecatTte."vV- ■. • ',

Two or three questions were here asked, but our- reporter did not ascertain the names of the gentlemen who put them ; they had reference to a money order office and paying members of Provincial Council.

In reply to the first Mr. Hay said it was a General Government question, and could only be had by memorial ; and to the second he replied that he was in favor of paying members. In reply to another question, Mr. Hay said that he was in favour of a small duty on gold, without abolishing Miners' Rights. Mr. Graham t Do you think municipalities in small towns are beneficial ? Mr. Hay : lam of opinion that no town with less than 1000 of a population should be constituted a municipality. Do you think it just that a wages man should require a Miner's Right ? Mr. Hay: I think a wages man should be exempt from such a tax. In reply to a question regarding j grants-in-aid of prospecting, Mr. Hay said, in cases where the prospects seemed likely to be reproductive he was favorable to such grants, especially in cases of deep and wet ground. Mr. Graham f As we have not a municipality here, do you think the Government should assist us in forming our streets ? We have memorialised the Government, and they offered £1 to £2.

Mr. Hay: I consider that they should give £2 to £1, or at least consider that they should give pound for pound. Mr. De Carle : Do you believe the Superintendent is a tool in the hands of the Executive.

Mr. Hay : Ido not consider* this a proper question ; besides, not being a member of the Executive I am not in a position to answer the queation. At the same time my opinion is that the Superintendent is not a tool in the hands of the Executive.

Mr. De Carle: There is a very steep cutting on the Switzers Road, near the Poinahaka. It is very narrow, as well as steep. Now, Mr. Hay, supposing you and I were draymen, and met on this cutting, what would you do ? Mr. Hay : Why, I would pass the best way I could. (Applause). A few other questions of little moment were asked, and answered to the entire satisfaction of the meeting.

A vote of thanks was proposed to the chairman, and the meeting dispersed. ,