PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE NEW COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1050, 18 March 1879, Page 2

PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE NEW COUNTY.

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting was held in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Saturday last, on the subject of the proposed Cambridge New County. Mr Thos. Wells, Chairman of the Cambridge Town Board, was voted to the chair. The Chairman, having read the advertisement convening the meeting, called upon Mr Eobt. Fergusson, Chairman of the delegates sent to interview the Ministers, to state the resnlt of their mission. Mr Fergusson said the meeting would remember that he was appointed, together with Messrs E. B. Walker, G. E. Clark, and Robt. Kirkwood, to interview Sir George Grey or Mr Sheehan on the Cambridge and Hamilton Railway and New County Question. Immediately after they were appointed, he telegraphed to Sir George Grey, asking him when it would be convenient for him to receive a deputation from Cambridge From the Kawau, Sir George wrote back to say that, as he was going direct to Wellington, he could not appoint a time to meet them, but if Mr Fergusson would write to him there he would give his letter due consideration and attention. Mr Fergusson did write, but he had received no reply. Messrs Walker and Clark and himself went down to Hamilton when Mr Sheehan was there, and interviewed him on the subject of the railway, Mr Sheehan received them most courteously— although he was just going to lunch,— and promised them everything they required, but they have heard nothing since. With regard to the railway, the Waikato County Council had voted a sura of money to survey the line, and it was left to the Councillors of the Riding to appoint someono to do it, He had spoken to Mr William Graham on the mattor, but that gentleman was now engaged elsewhere. However, in a month's time, he would be at liberty and willing to complete the survey. He would now ask Mr Clark to report progress with regard to the New County, Mr Clarke stated that he, with the other delegates, had interviewed Mr Sheehan on the matter. Mr Sheohan had replied that they were, by no means, the only ones who had applied to the Government for the formation of New Counties. The Government wero of opinion that the counties wore small enough. They wanted to make them larger, instead of smallfir. He had laid before Mr Sheehan, that it was from no selfish motives, that they wished to press the matter. They conscienciously believed that it would bo for the welfare of the whole district, and would extend the working of the Counties Act. The working of the Act, as it was carried out | at present, was merely a sham. If that Acb was to bo successfully worked, they must have counties with suitable

bounaries, with proper limits, or, tho Act ought to be done away with altogether, and the work done by the road boards. Mr Sheehan then said that, on his return to Wellington, he and his colleagues would re-consider the matter, but, they had heard nothing as to tho result. The Chairman then stated it was now competent for any motion to be brought forward. Ml- John Fisher proposed, " That this meeting cordially thank the delegates, and re-appoint them to interview Ministers, when next in Waikato, and urge upon them again, the desirability of proceeding with the survey of the Cambridge, and Hamilton Railway, and, further, to ask them to place a sum on tho estimates, ab the next meeting of the House, to get the work carried through during the next financial year, and to take any other steps in the matter that that may seem to them necessary." Mr W. Reynolds sscondod. — Carried unanimously. Mr John Hunt proposed, and Mr Hicks seconded, " That the delegates also interview Ministers, upon the nrat opportunity, with regard to the propossd New County of Cambridge, and inform them again, , that the electors of the .several ridings proposed to be incorporated in the New County, having" complied with all the conditions of the Counties Act, urgently desire the Ministers to advise His Excellency the Governor to immediately issue the proclamation constituting the New County/' — Carried unanimously. Mr Pearson proposed, " That the delegates also interview the Ministers, and ask them to proceed with the road from Cambridge to the Hot Lakes, without delay." Mr Ewen seconded. — Carried unanimously. A vote oi thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.