DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3834, 8 June 1875, Page 3

DEPUTATION.

This morning a deputation, consisting of Messrs A. C. Begg, James Curie, and James Kilgour, appointed by the Eoslyn District Eoad Board, waited on Mr J. M'Glashan, M.H.TJ. for the district, with reference ta the proposed legislative powers sought to be obtained by the Dunedin Corporation. The deputation stated their belief that two Bills would be introduced into the Assembly: one making it legal for the Corporation to annex any of the suburbs on theconsent of a majority of the ratepayers ; the other giving the Corporation power to levy a compulsory water rate over an area within three and a-balf miles of the Octagon. Now the Eoslyn Eoad Board and the inhabitants of the district objected to such powers being granted, especially as no application for the Corporation to move in the matters had been made by anyone in the district- it would be quite time enough when such was done. They also thought there was plenty for the Corporation to do within the city boundaries—mere than it could easily undertake—and the Eoslyn ratepayers did not feel inclined to commit themselves to the tender mercies of that body. The same might be said about the water question : no application for a supply of water had yet been made by any of the inhabitants, nor was it likely that they would have it on the terms proposed. Even if the Corporation obtained its compulsory rating power, no more than cne-third of them would use the water, for they had a constant supply as it was, there being several good wells. Mr Begg referred to Mr Fish’s speech in the Provincial Council, in which mention was made of the ' want of sympathy shown by the country districts with the heavily-burdened citizens of Dunedinbut the suburbs did not see things in that light, and did not wish to have the citizens’ burdens heaped upon themselves. Eoslyn had no debt, and their only tax was a small one for roads ; but if the pronosed powers were granted to the Corporation their burdens would soon be much increased. The inhabitants, viewing with alarm the steps being taken by tbe Corporation, had therefore appointed the deputation to wait on Mr M < Glashan, with a view of getting from him a pledge that he would use his utmost attempts to prevent a successful issue of them. Mr M'Glashan said that so long ago as May 14 he, feeling alarmed at the introduction o! the proposed Bill, had tabled a motion in the Council asking as follows “ Has the Provincial Government received a copy of the Dunedin Municipal Corporation Bill intended to be introduced by that body during the next session of Parliament, or has its attention been called to the provisions of that Bill in so far as it affects the suburbs, Town Belt, and the reserves, as mtimatediu the newspaper advertisements?” He then intimated that he should opvose it, so that the deputation would see that he had been alive to the interests of the inhabitants of the district. In conversation with one of tbe City Councillors, the latter assured him that it was not intended to go in for a compulsory rating power whatever; but it would be his (Mr M‘Glashan’s) duty to see that such was the and to endeavor to give effect to their wishes by opposing the granting of the proposed powers. It must not be forgotten, however, at the same time that some of -the suburban districts—such as Kensington-wanted water, and the Corporation required to extend their pipes to such whether Eoslyn or Moi’nington desired a supply or not, Even there, however, it would not be right to have compulsory rating powers, and he should oppose the granting of them, more especially as he believed the Corporation would receive enough from a fair charge for the water amply to compensate them for the expense. He would endeavor to carry out the wishes of the deputation as expressed. In thanking Mr M Gush an Mr Begg said what they objected to was the Corporation’s presuming that there would be no objection to their having power to rate all districts within three miles and a-half of the Octagon.