LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1243, 2 May 1884, Page 3

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Meeting at Seafleld. A public meeting of ratepayers was held last evening at the Seafield school. There was a fair attendance, Mr Redtnayne in (he chair. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been called to discuss the question of Local Government. It seemed there was a desire to do away with one of the present local bodies, and as it was entirely a matter for the ratepayers to decide he : - would ask for discussion and rcrolctions on the subject. Mr Megson moved—“ That in the opinion of this meeting the County Council and Road Boards can no longer coexist, and it is desirable that «ne of these bodies should be done away with as the rates have become unbearable. ” He said he had not intended to take action as he was a member of the Road Board, and thought it should have come from somsone else ; -- betas rates hat! become such a burden It behoved them to move in the matter. They had two rating bodies in the district performing the 'same ’ functions, and it was not necessary ■to havo them both. In looking over the « balance-sheet of the County Council he raw they were expending over LI,OOO in salaries—this could not go on, especially as they had just struck another rate, and he believed they also intended to strike another water rate of 6d per chain. How was this? When the waterworks were ini stituted the Council hid resolved to apportion LIO,OOO f-T the works. He would like to know if the proper account had been credited with this amount. The Council bad given a donation of L 5,000 to the Borough Council, and L4OO to the Borough Library. It was questionable whether they bad the right to do this, as it was odtside the County—he did not see that the ratepayers money should go in this manner. He would like to know what wtuld be the end of this if this was to continue. He objected to the large salaries paid by the Council, and also the giving a bonus to the Engineer. He concluded by stating that it was evident one of the local bodies must die, and that the ratepayers should 'determine which it should be. Mr Margetts seconded the resolution, and stated it bad been his conviction all along that the Council was not at all necessary. The resolution on being put was carried unanimously. Mr ’Parsons proposed—“ That in the Opinion of this meeting the Road Boards 'as a local governing body is the most desirable, can be worked with the same ' staff of officers as hitherto, is more under the control of Ratepayers, and is repre- > seated better locally, therefore it is expedient that the County Council should ■ be merged into the Road Boards, and that •petition be got np praying the Governor-in-Cooncil, under clauses of the Counties Amendment Act, 1882, to give effect to such petition.” • In speaking to the resolution Mr Parsons said he quite agreed With Mr Megson’s remarks, that rates were becoming unbearable. He doubted Ifrety few'of the farmers could pay 20s , in the pound, and to be rated like this was simply killing them. He considered ratepayers had better control if Svemed by Road Boards, any wrongs they d could be easily ventilated, they being more approachable than the County Council. With regard to the officers, what did they want Engineers; for ? To bring the water down hilt ? If they had listened to Engineers in the first instance they would have bad to pay nicely for it, and had an extra rsgstpt schema to bring the water dewir with pipes. Compared with other Councils the Ashburton Council had done their work well, but then they had plenty of money to do it with. Now that the ratepayers bad to put their : bauds in their pocket local government must be worked more economically. The Council-and their officers had done well in the past, and he for one wished it to be Understood that he was not finding fault ' With them, only the time had now come When we could dispense with them as their work was done Full powers were given the Road Boards to do the County Council works, a-o >■: ■?. vtirsa it the ratepayers so wished it, all he could see that would be Ikely to require the control of a 1 . central body were the head works of ; the water supply and the bridging of the rivers. Ife saw no'difficulty about the wftef supply being looked utter, and with regard to when they were wanted they could employ an engineer, there were plenty in the country. To go oh as' at presented constituted the County Council would be a' Injury that ratepayers at the present time could not afford. 1 Mr Bruce seconded the resolution. He said that the time had come, though probably fyte, when we must save money, and the ratepayers should consider which was the cheapest and best manner of local : government. He bad no hesitation in lajjqg that the Boad Boards ever since they had been constituted had dons thefr work veil, evidence 0? which Could be seen all oyer the colony. They worked cheaper and were more Under the control of the people who supported them than the County Council. ; Mr Brupe read several extracts from letters appearing in the Mail, - which he thought explained matters very well. Council or Road Board must die, and- he thought the ratepayers eould better dispense with the Council. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. Mr Redmayne proposed—“ That the AWakanoi Road Board be requested and fully authorised by this meeting to give ■effect to the foregoing resolutions by corresponding with other Road Boards in the county, asking their co-operation, and do all things necessary to accomplish the end desired,” Mr Moore seconded the resolution, and it was carried. gome few questions were asked with regard to the working of the bodies, which . i , were duly answered, and the meeting, ’>/ after arote of -thanks to the chair, terminated. 1 ■ : 1 •