MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT MOUNT SOMERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1257, 19 May 1884, Page 3

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT MOUNT SOMERS.

A meeting of ratepayers was held at thp ,J Bopwi Boat'd office, Mount Somers, op. v ‘ jSatfufcy. There was a fair attendance, jjjd Jffx A. E. Peaphe oeonpied the chair. After, the minutes of the previous meet* - ipes had been'iceadj the Chairman sub- ; pdtted.a statement" of worh donp ip ,tha ;', r , 1 Thjs 'jras criticised at 'some . tjf different ratepayers. prhen 'Mr t A 'jCM|pfqM» enggested.tbat they bad piet for jW nr P°^r t «> duouaa thp posiff" fame ot the two rating bodies, i.- Wslkerquotad a number of figure* comparing tins work end expenditure of at Pre-

saw their way to materially reduce the exnenditure. Mr Chapman would prefer to see both bodies retained as suggested by Hr Walker, He thought the County Council might also act as Licensing Bench. Mr Herring said that he was new to colonial polities, bnt against his will he had been compelled to expend a large sum in the district, and the heavy rates had drawn his attention to the bodies inflicting them. He thought the Road Boards could not be dispensed with, and he would support an increase of members to the Council. Mr Macfarlane proposed, Mr Hood seconded and it was carried unanimously—- “ That it is undesirable to retain the County Council in present form unless its expenditure is materially lessened Mr Herring proposed and Mr Cameron seconded*— “ That the powers of the County Council be enlarged so as to absorb, the work at present performed by the Road Boards.” As an amendment Mr Morgan proposed and Mr Edson seconded—“ I hat in the opinion of this meeting both Hoad Boards and County Councils should be retained. ” The amendment was carried, 17 voting for and 7 against it. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.