MASTERTON PARK TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 303, 30 October 1879, Page 2

MASTERTON PARK TRUST.

A meeting nf the Park Trustees was held at the Institute, on the 29th hist. Present—Messrs Rcnall (in the chair), McCardle, Vile, Woodroofe, Hare, and Feist. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Letters were read from the following : • From the Culouial Secretary, notifying the appointment of Messrs McGregor and Gapper as Trustees of the Park Trust— From l-lio Bnrouoli Cricket Club, re Park as practice ground—From Mr Carver, asking for a space of "round in the Park to plant vegetables.

Resolved.—That the thanks of. the meeting be accorded to the Directors of the botanical gardens in Wellington, for the donation of trees.

That the application of Mr Carver he declined, as it is not the intention of the Trustees to let any portion of the ground for [ranting purposes. That the IWnngh CiicketCluh have the use of the oval in the Park free, of charge for our seism), on condition that they make certain improvements thereon. That it scale of fees bo prewired in compliance with section 19 of the Park Act, 1875, for admission to the Park on particular occasions, such charges not to exceed 2/6 fur adults, and 5/ for horses and vehicles. That the custodian lie allowed to cut the whole of the grass verges, and dispose of the snino fur his own benefit, but is nut to interfere with his dally work. That the Trustees pay weekly visits to the reserve, in order to see that tho work is carried out by the man in charge. That the Secretary be requested to have a gate erected at the town end of the Parkin Dixon-street, That the following items, having been approved, be paid :—Custodian. ]Jj 4s; D'Aroy, 12a; Selkr and Hiilos LI 3s 9d; Hales, LI Is. The meeting then adjourned.

DEPUTATION RE THE ROUTE ON THE MASTERTON-WOODVILLE RAILWAY. (From the New Zea'and Times.)

A deputation of .settlers of the East Coast of Wellington waited on the Minister for Public Works yesterday afternoon, to urge upon him tho. necessity of thoroughly exploring the Seventy-mile Bush before finally fixing on the route of the Wellington to Napier railway; also, to point out the utter inability of the counties to maintain the main road through the bush.

Amongst those present were Messrs Beethain and Pharazyn, chairmen of the Wairarapa Counties; Mr Ormoiul, representing the Waipawa County; Messrs 0. Bunny, Brandon, and Johnston, M.H.K.'s, Mincliin, Buchanan, Waring Taylor, and others. It was pointed out that unless it was absolutely necessary the main mad and railway should not run alongside of each other, as by adopting a different route a large area of fresh country at present inaccessible would bs opened up, ami further settlement promoted. The main road traverses a large area of native land, while further east it is known that a practicable route exists, where the country is chiefly Crown land, and there are several early settlements which are still, without roads, The deputation strongly urged Ministers to have a thorough exploration made and estimates prepared of different routes, with due regard to opening up the greatest possible extent of back country.

The Hon the Minister for Public Works promised that the Government would go fully into the matter, and would not definitely fix the route of the railway without a thorough and impartial investigation of the circumstances, and a careful exploration of the country,

The Chairmen of the various counties then explained the difficulty that existed as to the maintenance of the main road through the bush. They pointed out that in the first instance (he bridges had been hurriedly constructed of inferior timber and that they were now rotten and required renewing, and that a large expenditure was necessary to keep the road open. The counties were already almost overtaxed to keep local roads open, and could not undertake the maintenance of this line, which traverses about 50 miles of unsettled lands from which no rates are derived. The case ia similar to (hat of the Christcliiii'ch-Hokitika and NapierTattpo ro ids, both of which pass through unsettled country, not rated and have to be maintained by the Government. The counties were ut;erly unable to undertake the responsibility of maintenance, and and unless aid were afforded, traffic would soon be stopped upon this important main line.

The Hon Mr Oliver replied that the whole question of opening ud and maintaining the main road in the Forty-Mile Bush districts would be carefully considered in the Cabinet, and the exceptional circumstances mentioned would be taken into consideration.

The deputation then thanked the Minister for Public Works and withdrew.