MEETING AT THE KAIKORAI.

Evening Star, Issue 3888, 10 August 1875, Page 2

MEETING AT THE KAIKORAI.

A. meeting of residents in the Kaikorai 6istnct took place at the Kaikorai Drill-shed last evening, when, about forty persons were present. Mr Kilgour was in the chair, and stated that the business of the meeting was to consider the Dunedin Waterworks Extension Bill and the abolition question, Mr Begg chairman of the local Road Board, said he decidedly opposed,the provisions of the Dunedin Waterworks Extension Bill, empowering the Council to extend their pipes through the S 'l bu l bs - ~T he, Council shoultf have first asked whether the suburban districts were willing to be taxed for the proposed water supply. He communicated with the Superintendent, Mr D. Reid, Sir Dillon Bell, and several other Otago members on the subject, and received replies stating that they would oppose the extension of rating powers to the suburban districts. He also heard that Mr Reynolds refused to proceed with the Bill with the compulsory rating powers. .Mr Miller moved-"That this meeting views with alarm the extraordinary powers obtained by the Dunedin Munich pal Corporation as set forth in the Waterworks Extension Bill, {1875, clause 14 espe ially; that the proposed compulsory rating powers are repugnant to the feelings of the ratepayers in this district; that the advantages to be derived by the ratepayers, if such powers were granted, would not be commensurate to such a proposition ; and th it therefore this meeting pledges itself to oppose, by all legitimate means in its power, the passage of such an Act by the House of Representatives.” If they did not look to themselves, they Would find the Kaikorai district part of the City of Dunedin within avery few years. The borrowing powers of the Corporation had reached their limit, and now they wanted to get the fine estate of the Kaikorai to raise further loans. Mr Todd seconded the motion. Mr , j*?? 0 <• “ ovec *» and Mr Mollison seconded, the following amendment That this meeting approves of the action of the Koad Board in their opposition of the compulsory rating powers of the Dunedin Waterworks Extension Bill, and promises to support them in that opposition.” Mr Jackson was of opinion that the Waterworks scheme should be extended to the suburbs, as it would increase the value of property, and as in the summer season Roslyn and other suburban districts were almost destitute of water.—(Uproar.) The motion was declared carried. .Mr Yuill moved—" That a Committee, consisting of the members of the Kaikorai Road Board, be appointed to draw up and obtain signatures to a petition, to be forwarded by them to the hon. the member for the district for presentation to the House of Representatives. That such petition shall embody the feelings aud desires of the ratepayers in the distiict, expressed or implied in the fore-’orn* resolution. And fuither,_ the Committee'shall take such other stips as in their wisdom may be deemed advisable in tie interests of this movement, and in terms of resolution.” Mr Roach seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Stout, who had been invited to address the meeting, then spoke with reference to the Abolition Bill, protesting against the principle of nommeeism,. He then referred to the immense number of functions which the Suporiu teu .ent of the Province was called upon to exercise, especially with regard to the Waste Lauds Act, and said that if the Abolition Bill were passed, they would have to call in some one to do these work*. The papers had dinned it into their ears that it simply meant abolishing the Provinces in the North Island, but it literally meant taking away our land revenue ‘.he Bill would give authority to the General Assembly, or rather to the Colonial Treasurer, to raise or to borrow on behalf of the bankrupt Provinces LIOO,OOO a year. This would all come out of the general revenue of the Colony, and therefore talking about saving the land revenue was an utter absurdity. One man would not be sufficient to forward all the matters dealt with by our Education Board to Wellington. He did not think the people would be so blind to their interests as to vote for the. Bill, The whole of the Provincial Councils, Superintendents, and Executives in the North Island only cost LI 3,000 a year, and he defied the General Government to do the work for less money.

Mr Begg moved, and Mr Mollison seconded—“ That this meeting view's with alarm the proposition to abolish the Provinces without au appeal to the country by means of a general election, and protests against ihe proposed Abolition of Provinces Bill being passed by an Assembly whose term of office is just expiring, and which does not fairly represent the people of the Colony. That a copy of this resolution be sent to Mr M'Glashan, the member of Assembly for the Roslyn district.” Mr Jackson moved the following amendment ;—“ That this meeting cordially approves of the proposals contained in the Government Bill for the abolition of the Provinces, and believes that, if carried into effect, they will be conducive of great and lasting benefit to the country, seeing that Provincial Councils have actually abolished themselves by their conduct during the last four or five years. Therefore, this meeting heartily agrees with the Dill nowbefore the Assembly for the immediate abolition of the Provinces, and earnestly thanks the member for Roslyn district (Mr‘M'Glashan) for his support to tho Bill” He thought the Abolition Bill would eventually benefit the Provinces that they could do with less labor.

Mr Todd seconded the amendment. The motion was carried with enthusiasm. Votes of thanks to Mr Stout and the chair man concluded the proceedings.