HORSESHOE BEND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 155, 26 January 1871, Page 7

HORSESHOE BEND.

A meeting was held at Horseshoe Bend, on Monday evening to consider what means should be adopted to remedy the inconvenience to which the inhabitants are at present subjected in consequeuco oi' tho local Post-office being at such a great distance from the principal centre of population in the neighbourhood. The chair was taken by the Hon. E. A. T. Pery.

The Chairman having read the notice convening the meeting, explained, that recently, when on a visit at Beaumont Station, he was requested to make enquiries in order to ascertain if some arrangement would not be made so as 10 have the mails delivered at the Bend, the Post-office being on the other side of the river, and perhaps a mile and a half distant. Inquiries were accordingly made, but the local postmaster demanded a sum which was considered exorbitant and out of all proportion to the services required, and consequently the present movement was initialed in order, if possible, to have the Post-ofiicc removed to a somewhat more convenient position. Messrs. Beitson and M'Arthur spoke warmly in support of the movement.

Mr. Rigney highly commended the action taken by the Chairman. Ho also stated that when the Post-office wa^ established in its present position the only incaus of access (to the Bend was across a flat, which, for a great part of the year, was little better than a lagoon. Now there was a good road available for traffic at all seasons, and he thought it was only reasonable that the convenience of the inhabitants should bo consulted, and the Post-office removed to the Bend. He also pointed out the folly of having it so far from the prineipxl centre of population in the neighbourhood, and on the road, along which, for a distance of about fifteen miles, there are scarcely half-a-dozen houses. He further stated that the removal of the office would apparently be a source of satisfaction both to the inhabitants and the local postmaster ; the latter having ouce stated to him (the speaker) that he did not want te be bothered with it. He concluded by proposing — "That a petition should be sent to the Chief Postmaster praying for tho removal of the office to the Bend, or if this could not be done, then either the house of Mr. Knowles or Mr Stewart." Carried unanimously.

Mr. Stevenson highly approved of the action taken by the Chairman, and offered, in tho event of the office being established in the Bend, to send a messenger to receive and deliver the mails to tho coach-driver on the roadside.

In the course of a general conversation which ensued, it was decided that strenuous efforts should be made to carry out the object of the meeting. There was a very general desiro that Mr. Knowles should accept the office of postmaster, many of those present expressing their conviction that he would discharge the duties in a most satisfactory manner, in addition to the fact of his place being most convenient.

Messrs. Pery and Rigney were appointed a committee, to draw up the petition and generally take any steps they might consider advisable in the matter.

A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman for his exertions in the movement closed the meeting.