PUBLIC MEETING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1059, 27 April 1882, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

Bhwbej thirty and forty citizens responded to Mr McOardle's invitation to meet him in the Town Hall last evening and hear his views on the Town Lands question. Mr Worth having, on the motion of the convenor of the meeting, been appointed to the chair, bespoke a patient hearing for Mr MeOardle on the interesting question to which lie was about to speak, Mr McCardle, who was received with applause, said he had doubted whether his invitation to the public would meet with much support, as hitherto but little interest had beeu manifested' in ' the affairs of the Town Lands, the public haying had confidence in their representatives managing them to tlio best advantage, Some of his friends had advised him to call a meeting whilo other* had assured him that his return was quite safe without taking any s t 9 p of tins description. He explained that his own object in calling a meeting was not to influence the election on the morrow but to inlimate-a change which ho irtonded to propose in the administration of the Trust, so that if ho were retuvnod the public would bo in his oou6donce as to the course ho should pursue. He was before them in rather A CURIOUS I'OSITIOS, though elected only twelve months ago to serve them he appeared before them again ns a candidate, although the term for which he was appointed was unexpired. Ho did not wish to open up old sores, though, when ho resigned, he felt that a slight had been put upon him by his colleagues. He disclaimed on his part any intention of discourtesy towards his fellow trustees in sending in his rosi«nation He folt at the time that there "was but little chance of carrying on the Trust harmoniously, and that ho was in a measure pledged to bow to the resignation by which the members of the Treat were called upon to resign. It was not his intention when ho tendered his resignation that the Trustees should nominate another person in his place. Ho desired the election to bo left lo the public. Without criticising the action of his former colleagues ho thought that tho public should have been allowed to hold an election. If returned again ho would endeavor to alter tho system by which the lruslees could All a vacancy without a regular election. The present Trustees had Ins good will, and if elected ho would act harmoniously with them. With respect to the

FUTURE MANAGEMENT of the Trust ihey were aware that under the present niude of letting lands the improvements on them at the expiration of .the leases fell into the hands of the Trust, lie proposed to change this, aud in all fulure leases to allow the improvements to bo valued for the benefit of lessees, He believed that the result of such an alteration would be that the Trust would obtain higher rentals for their lands and tenants would bo encouraged to improve their properties. He did not propose that the Irust should find money to pay for improvements, but that when a lease expired it should be relet by auction subject to the compensation to he paid as per valuation to the outgoing tenant, In the old country this question of tenant improvements was creating a deep interest, and ho thought that the time had arrived' here when they should be prepared to deal fairly and equitably with the interests of those who improved their lands for them. Even if a tenant did not live till the expiration of—Bay a twentyoiio years lease, his heirs were entitled to the benefit of the improvements he effected. He also pointed out that under his proposal lessees could borrow money for improvements much more readily than they could under the present system. He had every reason to believe that tho public would endorse tho proposal. Another matter which he wished to refer to was the joint interest of Maslorton and Greytown in the _ i GItEYTOWK TOW»V DEW. In his opinion the possession of this reserve ought to pass into the hands of Greytown. Ho recommended that each Trust should appoint a valuator, and that Greytown should pay off Masterton's interest in the reserve, With the monoy which Mnsterton would receive it could clear off its existing liabilities, and the annual charges it would have to pay for interest, rwo years ago a fixed sum was agreed to, but ho thought that a valuation would give a larger amount. He was glad to notice that the vexed question of •

TOWN ACRE FORIMIVO and other acres in a similar position was likely to bo settled in a manner satis-" factory to all of them, He heartily- supported'the overture made byMrßenall, He concluded by expressing a hope that in; the' future the Trust would yield a .revenue sufficient to found local scholarships; and expressing. his inability to do justice to the, subject" before a thinner meeting than any he.had addressed on previous occasions, He, felt it was uphill work addressing so small an audience, but cordially thanked tnem for their atten* dance and the attention with which they had listened to him.-(Applauge), Mr Shute asked Mr McCardie if the Government had not enough money and property for educational purposes without taking the land bolonging to the Town Trust? MrMoCardle replied that the Masterton lands would be used exclusively for the benefit of Masterton children, and shewed how a torn might be fosterd'by making it a great educational centreAHe advocated higher-education to advance the intG m '*/ , Mas6rtM -(Hear 1 Hear 1)' • . M / tasked Mr McCardie if he was M of subsidising 'a museum andsmal laboratory out of tho funds of to'

. Mr McCardle replied that one result of Mr larks recent lecture .on telegtph'y bad been, he was informed, to create an interest.m scientific information among the semor pupils of the public Bchool. If tins were the case-he certainly would give any proposal of this kind his favorable support, and it the arrangement he proposed re the'Greytown belt were carried out, he believed that funds would be available for Buch a purpose. A.unanimous Vote of thanks was then passed to Mr McCardle for his address,- 1 on the motion of Mr Payton, seconded by Mr Arnold. The Chairman, in closing ,the meeting, suggested fflietkfl'rit would not be wise to

divest the Maaterton Trustees of their responsibilities, and hand them over to. # , the, Borough Council? The interest ofjv the ratepayers might be aaoriflced by a multiplicity of local governments. Mr McCardle said he could not support suoh a proposal. There were persons outside the borough limits who had vested interests in the Trust lands, and who would be reluctant to waive their rights. He thought such a change would be a mistake. A vots of thanks te the chair, moved by' Mr McCardle, closed the proceedings.