THE GOLDFIELDS SECRETARY AT ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 386, 29 August 1874, Page 2

THE GOLDFIELDS SECRETARY AT ROXBURGH.

On Monday evening last, a number of the inhabitants of Eoxburgh and surrounding districts met D. M'Kellar, Esq., Goldfields Secretary, at Mr. J. Beighton's Commercial Assembly Rooms. Mr. G. Ireland, M.P-O. for the district, was yoted to the chair^ The Chairman, in a Mef speech, invited those present to bring before the G-oldflelds Secretary any matter affecting the welfare of the district. Mr. M'Carthy brought under notice the position of the present road to Tapanui, the orginally surveyedone having been fenced in by Mr. Clarke, thereby* causing parties having occasion to travel that way to make a detour of a considerable distance. - Mr. M'Kellar took a note of the matter, promising to look into it. Mr. G. I\ Mackay brought the subject of the difficulty of access to the commonage before the notice of the Goldfields Secretary, also the locality m which it was situated, not being fit for grazing during the winter months. It was absolutely necessary that a strip of country should be granted by the Government for that purpose. He also urged the necessity of more land being opened for settlement. The Goldfields Secretary said with regard to the commonage he regretted that the present one was so unsuited for the wants of the people. He could not, however, hold out an extension of commonage this year. He suggested that the best course would be for their representative to take steps next session to endeavor to obtain what they wanted. The Chairman drew the attention of the Goldfields Secretary to the necessity there was of the Government erecting a closet and uriual in the vicinity of the Court-house ; such places being much needed. —This was promised to be done at the earliest opportunity. Mr. J. Beighton mentioned that the land reported upon by Mr. Kerrow, on run 369, as fit for agricultural settlement, had not yet been opened, although the Government had been petitioned to do so by the inhabitants of the district. Mr. M'Kellar said with reference to this question he could give no decided answer, but would let tlie people tnovr witiiin a fortnight. He would promise nothing, but would do the best he could. It might be mentioned that the Goldfield< Secretary made the same observation with reference to the block of land at Millers Hat. A vote of thanks having been passed to the Chairman, the meeting soparated.