PUBLIC MEETING.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 677, 9 January 1883, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

The hour advertised for holding a meeting of the ratepayers to conside the matters already set forth having arrived, some 20 ratepayers put in an appearance. The Board's Chairman being voted to the chair, read the advertisement calling the meeting, and having briefly explained the object, the Clerk was requested to read the balance-sheet setting forth the receipts and expenditure for the past year, which being considered satisfactory, the question of how to obtain funds for tho future conduct of the Board's work was entered | into, and it was resolved, on the motion"

of Mr A. A. M. Allen, seconded by Mr Coop, that the rates be raised to a sum equal to Is in the £ on the annual valuation. Tin next question brought before the meeting was as to the advisableness of taking steps to abolish the County Council as at present constituted in this county, and instead that the Council be composed of the Chairman of the Road Boards and Town Boards, as set forth in "The Counties Amendment Act, 1882." The Chairman briefly explained that the Board had invited discussion on this subject, in deference to a well-known provailing opinion in this district, that the duties of the County Council of this County would be adequately discharged by the Chairmen ot the Road Boards and Town Boards of the County, as there were not sufficient funds obtainable in the County to warrant the maintenance of a plurality of local bodies. Mr Coop (warmly) considered that instead of dispensing with the County Council, the Road Boards might more justly be wiped out, as he did not see what sense there was in maintaining six Road Boards with thirty members, and clerks, &c., to do all the work on the Peninsula, to be henceforward undertaken by local bodies. Mr Parkinson explained that the thirty members maintain themselves, and he understood that the salaries of most of the clerks referred to did not mount very high. Messrs Radford and Braring desired to be informed what economical steps the Council propose to take to carry out the duties now discharged by Road Boards, as it has never hitherto displayed much economy.

Mr Wilson had no doubt but the gentlemen constituting the Council were good men and true, but the fact was, the institu • tion in this County had been a costly mis - take from the beginning—a little House of Lords. Mr Allen : A white elephant, rather. Several ratepayers desired lo know what the Council had done in the past. Mr Buchanan thought that the County Council did not seem to have done its work generally satisfactorily, yet he did not see how the position would be bettered by the Road Boards. Mr Allen did not know if ratepayers were aware that it had cost their Council the sum of £400 to merely allocate £1000, and he should like to ascertain from its most ardent supporters what benefits the district had reaped from that body during its existence. _ Mr Buchanan thought that the distribution above referred to may have cost the sum mentioned, that four times the amount might also be expended at the Bame figures. Mr Parkinson would be glad if any person could enlighten him as to the benefits derived or derivable from the Akaroa County Council. A lengthy discussion of a conversational character here ensued, which was wound up by the following resolution : — "That supplementary meetings of the ratepayers of this district be held at the schoolroom on the evening of Saturday, January 13, at 8 o'clock p.m., and at the schoolroom. Tai Tapu, on the evening of Thursday, January 11, at 8 o'clock, to further discuss this matter, as several ratepayers have not been able to attend this day, owing to harvest and other works at this busy season." The question cf subdividing the district was next discussed in a more temperate manner than the former, and resulted in a division, equal numbers being for and against. That the district be subdivided was carried, however, by the Chairman's casting vote. It seemed rather difficult to make many ratepayers understand that almost the only difference a division of the district would make would bo the election of members to serve on the Board and in the case of levying special rates for special works. As to closing unnecessary roads, the majority were opposed to doing so, inasmuch as it could not be ascertained what roads may be required in the future, when the population of the Colony should increase, and subdivisions of property be the result. The meeting here dispersed.