PUBLIC MEETING AT BEAUMONT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 391, 16 September 1874, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT BEAUMONT.

(From a Correspondent.) On Monday evening, the 14th instant, a numerously attended meeting was held at the Crookston Hotel, Beaumont, to consider what steps should be taken to oppose the application of Messrs. Lancaster and Co. for authority to construct a road from the present ferry up towards the Horseshoe Bend, on the east side of the river. Mr. Parsons having been called to the chair, Mr. Bennett said it was by mere accident that he heard that one of Mr. Lancaster's partners had been to the Teviot canvassing for signatures in favor of their application, < and that many of the names were obtained by misrepresentation. He also stated that the present road was quite sufficient for all purposes. He further disclaimed being actu- ' ated by any unfriendly feeling towards : Messrs. Lancaster and Co., and concluded an ' able and convincing address by moving the [ ; following resolutions, which were seconded by i Mr. Eae, and carried unanimously : — " That ] this meeting views with suspicion the further 1 action of Mr. Lancaster, and others interested, 1

in trying to obtain a monopoly of a line of road along the east bank of the Clutha river, between the Beaumont and the Horseshoe Bend. — That the granting of such a monopoly would be an injustice to the proprietors of the bridge, &nd a breach of faith on the part of the Government to grant the same — That it would be ruinous to the settlers along the present line of road, inasmuch as they have spent large sums of money improving their land and building homes for their families, whiah would be comparatively worthless were the present line of road changed, as their dwellings are built alongside the same. — That the road applied for would open up no country fit for settlement, but passes along a narrow valley, and embraces the only practicable or level tract for the proposed line of railway from Lawrence to tho interior of the province. — That within a few months, when the contracts now in operation will be completed, with very little additional expense the present line of road will be equal to any road in the province, and it joins the main road to Switzers and Tapanui about midway between the two points referred to. — That a respectful address be prepared, and, if need be, presented to his Honor the Superintendent and Executive Council, embodying the foregoing resolutions, praying that they may ba pleased to withhold their consent from such a monopoly." Mr. Rae said Mr. Beaton went to the | Teviot to get signatures to the memorial; but he might as well have gone to China. I have now in my hand a letter for Mr. Beaton from one of those who signed the memorial, calling on him (Mr. Beaton) to cross his name out, as he had been induced to sign by misrepresentation. Mr. Rae here called for Mr. Beaton, but the latter was not forthcoming. [An unseemly altercation here ensued between Mr. Rae and Mr. Cummings, which was stopped by the Chairman's interference/] Mr. Cummings proposed an amendment to the sixth resolution ; but when asked to put it in writing, he declined. Put by -him verbally, it was to the effect that the proposed road would be a benefit to the public. Mr. B«nnett again very clearly explained his views on the matter; and stated that many of those who signed Lancaster and Co.'s petition were willing to sign a counter petition, as their signatures had been obtained by misrepresentation ; that most of them lived a long way off, and were not interested. [Mr. Beaton here entered the room.^md was at once upbraided by Mr. Bemetfmor the means he had adopted when soliciting signatures. Mr. Beaton admitted to same extent the truth of Mr. Bennett's remarks^ j [Mr. Rae here threw the letter already alluded to on the table, and called on Mr. Beaton to reacl it puWielj, as the writer intended it should be.] Mr. Lancaster said that Mr. Bennett was misleading the meeting, and produced hi* application, which he offered to read. Mr. Gamble expressed his intention of opposing Mr. Lancaster upon every opportunity ; but, owing to his rapid articulation, it was impossible to catch the exact words. He wound up by saying, " Gentlemen, you can take Mr. Lancaster's word for what it is worth." The Chairman : I see you are going in for a barney. Mr. Lancaster : You are like a lot of children ; hold your tongues. (This reproof was certainly well merited.) He here read the application for the road, the principal points of which are as follows : — The applicants to construct a good road for general traffic ; the use of the road to be free to the public ; applicants to charge the same rates for puntage that are to be charged at the bridge ; to be allowed a few acres of land*" on each side of the river, to facilitate the crossing of stock ; aud finally, to be allowed to remove the timber for a width of five chains along the road ; the timber to be sold to the public on the road at 15s. per cord. Mr. Bennett : But if the railway come 9 up, will you give it up ? Mr. Lancaster (laughing) : Ob, of course we will. He further stated that the formation of the road would save the Government £4000. It was ultimately decided that a Committee oonyisting of the following gentlemen, should be appointed to carry out the object of the meeting : — Messrs. M'Donald, Parsons, Rae, Stevenson, Gamble, Bennett, and Sheeran. The petition against Messrs. Lancaster and Co.'s application was then placed on the table, and all those present whose interests wero likely to be affected by the proposed road were requested to sign it. A large number were at once attached. At the close of the public meeting, the Committee decided that Mr. Haggitt should be retained to watch after the interests of the S3ttlers, by opposing the application of Messrs. Lancaster and Co. All through,' the meeting was the most irregularly conducted that it was ever my misfortune to be present at.