MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2873, 14 April 1888, Page 2

MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of. voters for the reception of the report and balance sheet, pd for the election of two auditors, was held in the Temperance Hall last night, thpre being present about one hundred persons. Mr E. Feist occupied the chair. The chairman said that the first business of the evening was the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet. He thought that the statement was a satisfactory one, and the items of it called for no special comment, As regards the retirement of two Trustees, Mr Parsons and himself, he might mention that, recognising the advantage of an introduction of ;fresh blood now and then, it was not his intention to come forward again as a candidate for election. The' speaker then briefly alluded to the report and balance sheet and moved its adoption.

Mr Peyton, in seconding the adoption of the report and balance sheet, referred to the proposal for the public meeting to elect a committee to con- ■ sider the new Bill. He considered the meeting itself should discuss its provisions] He would also at this stage object to the use of the expression " primary education" in the £|ill, as he thought that ait] tp education should also be given jn tlio dpotion of secondary instruction. The Government provided all that was needed in the first respect. Mr Rwull ybjcytgd to the discussion

of this point then. He' said it could be argued out later on in the evening. This at present was the statutory meeting to receive the balance sheet. ' The Chairman agreed with Mr Renall. As regards the appointment of a committee to deal with the Bill, both Mr Geo. Beetham M.H.R, and the trustees had selected this as the best and least cumbrous way of getting the meeting represented in the conference for the discussion of its provisions.

Mr Renall; Before you adopt that balance sheet, sir, I should like to make some remarks on some of its items, For instance, look at the value of rents shown ill arrear £139 17s 6d. How is it that the Trustees have allowed them to accumulate, and why have the tenants not been introduced to the bailiff—in fact, got" the toss-up." The Chairman said this could be explained satisfactorily. The last balance sheet showed outstandings of the same nature to a much higher amount, and, as regards present tenants' liabilities they had already since the statement was drawn up been reduced by £SO, and would soon be further cut down. Mr Renall: Then there's another thing. I mean the purchase of that section of stones from their Mend Mr Perry.—To Mr \V. Perry: 'Report says, Mr Perry, that you got a very good profit, too.

Mr Perry : I think the trouble is that you could'nt sell a bit yourself. Mr Renall: Well I had'nt auy in the market, so that point must lapse. However, to return I must say that I consider that property transaction nothing more nor less than a piece of laudjobbery, anda very bad speculation at that, for you won't receive a penny of revenue from the place. I may, however, say it is not my intention to obstruct the passing of the statement, but these few points called for criticism.

Mr M. Caselberg: The amount shown as expenditure for the school pic-nic, £3O, is large, and calls for some explanation. The Chairman said that the expense was incurred at Jubilee time, when it was thought a little extra liberality in the direction referred to would not be out of place. Mr Renall remarked that the trustees could not have done anything else with the thirty pounds, as that sum was the proceeds of three acres specially reserved as a source of revenue to provide a treat for the children

The Chairman then put the motion and the balance sheet and report were duly adopted. He next proceeded with the election of auditors, and tho retiring ones, Messrs W. Sellar and J. lorns were, on resolution, unanimously re-elected for the ensuing year. This concluded the business of the statutory annual meeting. PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting was afterwards held, Mr Feist, by vote, retaining the Chair. The Chairman said the first thing to do was to decide whether the bill should be discussed by the public -meeting or by a Committee elected by those present. Mr Payton moved that the public meeting consider the clauses of the Bill. The only point which he wished to draw attention to was that the Bill stipulated that a portion of the Trust funds should be devoted only to primary education, while it allowed no liberty to use any moneys in the advancement of secondary education, such as Grammar Schools, colleges, etc. He thought that the Government provided all that was necessary in the first category, and that its efforts and resources in that direction needed no supplement. He would move that the word " primary" be struck out, Mr Caselberg said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion, and as a fact the first Trust Lands Act did not specially define primary instruction, but used the expression " education" iu a general sense. (The original Act was here referred to, and it bore out Mr Caselberg's contention.) The Government already rated for primary education, and as this was done, it would be unwise to devote the whole of their valuable help to that which the Education Board should provide. As tilings wero at present, he certainly thought any available surplus should go in the direction of higher education.

The Chairman said he was also iu favor of the expunging of the word primary. It had esoaped his notice when they were drawing up the Bill in Committee, and his attention was first called to it in the Waihakapa Daily.

Mr Lowes: It is a pity you did not then call attention to your discovery at a meeting of the Trustees. (Mr Feist: I did do so.) lam quite satisfied with the educational system of the Colony. It is very complete. If a better standard is wanted, then let those gentlemen who require it pay for it. (applause.) When the Trust was created, the originators never even dreamt of secondary education, Their intentions were to benefit the working classes. I fail to see why we should support highereducational institutions to compete with our very satisfactory Government system. (Hear! Hear!) The fact of the Government knowing we had a private subsidy to our public schools would not at all influence them in the direction of cutting down their grants, as some people asserted. Mr Renall expressed bis agreement with the exclusion of the word primary. He thought the Trustees could be safely left to use their discretion in allocating the fund tor educational purposes.

The Chairman spoke in favor of the expision of the word primary, The popular vote would, he thought, be against its inclusion. There were certainly children of poor parents who were fitted for a superior education, and who should receive encouragement. Mr Paytou: I might, perhaps, mfike a remarlf with regpl to th§ allusion Mr Lowes made to the subsidising of private schools. What I propose is simply the institution of scholarships of a certain yearly value, and which it may be in the power of pupils of the primary schools to win. There were undoubtedly children whose natural ability rendered them

fit for higher cultivation, and if they were poor, as is by no means seldom : tho case, they would have a chance of securing these awards. There isajpS Art education, which the SchdßjOf •Design is just introducing hore. The support oftliat also might be considered favorably by the Trustees. Mr A. W. Hogg: Perhaps before this discussion is closed, I may say a few words on the subject. Now I think that the reason for the word primary being inserted in the clause regarding education, was to .preventeven the possibility of the diversion of any money for the better education of children of people who might be described as belonging to the " upper strata," and who could well afford to pay for any higher standard they were inclined for. I am in favor of considering Jhe claims of tho School of Design: As regards the other point, perhaps the word "public" ;■ would well replace the expression J . "primary." I hope, however, that ■ the funds will never be diverted for the benefit of private schools of an exclusive character., (Applause.) Mr Lowes here remarked that after the conversation he had had with Mr Beethain and others, he would formally withdraw his objection to the elimination of the word "primary" clause. *T - The motion for the exclusion of the word "primary" was then put and carried, the only dissentient being Mr K. Hare. Mr Renall: The one item to which exception has been taken by no means exhausts the objectionable features of what is called a " consolidating" measure. The Trustees have long shirked meting the public, till now we have got them face to face, and they cannot get away. (Laughter,). Now when it was found that tho Act needed amendment, what was done ? Why the Trustees themselves concocted thi&y. thing that is before us. If I had beeilf one of them, the public would have - been called together to meet us aud discuss, the matter. But no, the Trustees would not take such a step. (Applause.) Who drew up this monstrosity that no man could ever read, and certainly, if he could read it, not understand ? (Laughter.) It was Mr Hare's work, and then Mr Bjfiham came forward and said he wowcFp it knocked into shape and printed.' -Mr Hare: Exactly the same course was taken as when you were a Trustee, and if Parliament approves— Mr Renall: What has Parliament to do with it. It is what we—(in a tone of disgust). What the d— do I care about Parliament. (Roars of laughter). The only public meeting ever called by the Trust was honoured by a thunder and lightning storm, which made everyone too frightened to attend it. Now what does this Bill do, it allows trustees to be absentees provided they can get the leave of their co-trustees. Practically Mr Hare has ' been a bird of passage, although he may have a roost here which he can put his head in, Two other points are, the Bill, allows the trustees to invest trust moneys on mortgage—in fact to make their private estates borrowing mediums and lend each .other money; it also allows thesegjifemen to be lessees of the Trust's "property and to regulate their own rents. Do you consider this is right. (Cries of no, no!) This Bill is a most pernicious one. (A voice: Is the Bill wanted at all ?) (Mr Renall here got rather fervent in his remarks, but he explained to the audience that he was not at all out of temper, but was as smiling as a horse with a bag of oats before him.) Mr Renall continuing: A committee to deal with this matter would be absolutely useless. It could do nothing. I propose to ask this meeting to let the Bill stand over for this session altogether, I would stand lor the trusteeship again rather than witness measures which leave open road for tho grossest corruption. , Mr Perry: I object to Mr Renall talking as if he were the only honest man in Masterton. Mr Renall: I shall not be that as long as Mr Perry is here. Now, Mr Hare has said I was a tenant of the Trust at tho time I was a member of it. In former years the JMstees allowed people to run horses alpattle in their paddocks at 2s Gd a week. The payment was acknowledgment from me that the property was not mine, that was all. Why, Mr Hare, I am ashamed of you. (Laughter.) To say that's a tenaucy is rot. Now Mr Hare, are you satisfied ? Mr Hare: No, lam not. After further remarks, Mr Renall concluded by saying that he would move that Mr Beetham be requested to withdraw the Bill during the present session. Mr Hogg: I have great pleasure in seconding ( the motion, The Bill is not a consolidating measure. It is not the essence of previous Acts, but is a new departure altogether. I will go further than Mr Renall; I will ask that the Bill be withdrawn for ever. It is. ono of the most pernicious measures ever heard of. That one A| clause allowing Trustees power to invest Trust money on leaves room for unlimited fraud, if§j> could ' speculate with Trust funds on their own estates. The present Trustees may be all honorable men, but with such an opportunity for profitable speculation, others not so conscientious may make it their object to be elected. The Bill will simply make the Trust a Land and Mortgage Agency, and they only need the three golden balls, to complete the outfit. I ask that the Bill be withdrawn altogether. Mr Renall amended his motion' as suggested by Mr Hogg. The Chairman said lie would like tq explain the Trustees' action. They considered that the voters were satisfied with their ability and integrity, and did not desire to be called together on every occasion. The Bill had been introduced m a public manner, thoroughly advertised, and every chance given to dissentients to speak. He much deplored*® base insinuations made regarding le prospect of Trustees acting fraudulently, Mr Renall; Ido not wish to impute unworthy motives. The Trustees arc probably rather "weak in tho garret," aud have been misled. Mr Hare moved as an amendment, that the Bill be referred to a Committob, who should consult with tl^-

Trustees, and report to a public meeting. (Voices: The Bill is killed; Sling itmt.) Mir Payton: I will second that amendment. It is easy to eliminate the objectionable clauses, and the Bill is valuable as a consolidating measure. Mr Caselberg remarked that no arguments had been elicited which proved the necessity of the now Bill, and even if there had been, it was a measure which should bo subjected to public consideration and criticism. The speaker then alluded to amendments and improvements which could be made in a new Bill, emphasising that of ensuring a Government audit of the Trust's transactions.

The chairman put Mr Hare's amendment that the Bill bo referred to a committee, which was lost, about forty voting against and only six for it. Mr Benall's original motion that the Bill be withdrawn altogether was put and carried with acclamation, on the voices. This concluded the meeting.