THE RAGLAN MAIL SERVICE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1609, 26 October 1882, Page 2

THE RAGLAN MAIL SERVICE.

A very large and influential meeting was held in the Court-house, Raglan, on Tuesday, to discuss the question of the mail service, the Government having declined to accept any tender for the conveyance of the mails by coach between that district and Hamilton. — The Rev. Mr Slade was called to the chair. — The Chairman clearly gave the meeting to understand how matters stood with regard to the present obnoxious mode of conveying the mails, viz.. on horse-back, and which, according to arrangements being made by the authorities, was to be continued during 1883-84.— Mr Wallis stated that owing to the Government having retained the tender of Mr Johnson, of Hamilton, (for a bi-weekly coach service) for a protracted period, the public generally were under the impression that that gentleman's tender had been accepted, and were greatly surprised to find that the present very unsatisfactory system was to be continued. — Correspondence was placed before the meeting respecting the matter. — Mr Mitchell informed the meeting that a petition had some time previously been sent to the Chief Postmaster, Mr Biss, who, in reply, stated that as soon as the present horse-back service expired (i.e , end of the present year) he, Mr Biss, would see what could be done in the matter. —Several gentlemen expressed themselves highly incensed at the refusal of the Government to grant a mail coach service, more especially as the public had been buoyed up with a promise that it should receive due consideration. — It was resolved (1). "That the present horseback service is very unsatisfactory, being inimical to the interests of the Raglan district, and that, the Government be strongly urged to institute a mail coach service not less than twice a week."— (2). "That the Raglan people having been led to believe by the postal authorities that a mail coach service would be instituted next year, this meeting expresses its strong censure upon the postal authorities who have practised this deception, and urge upon them to reconsider their decision," - (3). " That with a view to

support the action taken by Mr Knox, the Mayor of Hamilton, a copy of these resolutions be sent to him to forward to our member, Mr Whitaker, to be by him laid before the Government." — It was proposed and seconded that a vote of thanks be passed to Mr Wallis for his exertions in calling a meeting upon so important a subject.— A vote of thanks unanimously expressed to the chairman, for the able and kindly manner he filled the post, concluded the meeting. A letter from Mr Sutton, stating that he intended to run a coach during 8 months in the year, was read to the meeting. This, however, was considered very unsatisfactory, inasmuch as the matter was purely optional with the contractor. The public wanted something more than this — they wanted a guarantee that a regular coach service would be kept up— and that could only be done by the Government granting a subsidy.