Meeting at Birmingham

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 122, 12 April 1892, Page 3

Meeting at Birmingham

« [from otjb own cokrespondent.] A meeting of ratepayers in the Apiti district, which had been called by Mr F, Homer, as representative of the district in the Kiwitea Road Board, was held in Mr Lowes' Hotel, Birmingham, on Saturday, the 19th inst. The meeting, which had been called for the purpose ol discussing the attitude of the Government, in reference to the making of roads through the district, was a fairly representative one, being attended by some twenty settlers. Mr T. R. Taylor, chairman of the Kiwitea Road Board, presided. Mr F. Homer, the convener of the meeting, then proceeded to state his reasons for calling the meeting. He referred first to the position of the settlers in the Birmingham Special Settlement. He contended that in the matter of roads the Government had not kept faith with the settlers. The settlers had, on the understanding that the main roads would be made by the Government, paid 2s 6d per acre more for the land, and they were paying more for their land than any other Association of a like nature was paying. The Government had ignored their promise as to roading. Still, they had spent some money on the roads, which was practically admitting that the district had some claim upon them. Later on the districts interested had borrowed money under H The Loans to Local Bodies Act," in order to complete the main road. The sum borrowed, however, had not proved sufficient for the purpose, and a portion of the road was, therefore, left uncompleted. A meeting was held a few months ago to consider the matter. A deputation was then appointed to wait upon the Government, and urge the claims of the district. The deputation, accompanied by Mr Macarthur, M.H.R., duly proceeded to Wellington, and had an interview with the Premier. They flattered themselves that their mission had been successful. Mr Ballance promised that he would recommend the Minister of Lands to allocate a sum of £900 for the completion of the roads in question. This was quite satisfactory so far, but when the money was applied for, it was not forthcoming. Several letters were written to the Government, but two months had elapsed before a reply was vouchsafed, and the reply, when received, was unsatisfactory, as the Governmeat required Mr Macarthur to show that the expenditure would benefit Crown Lands yet to be opened up. No reference was made to the promise of JE9OO. Mr Ballance had evidently changed his mind about making the recommendation ; but on the other hand he required further information as to what Crown Lands could be opened up in the vicinity. In Mr Homer's opinion the settlers in the Birmingham Special Settlement had a good case against the Government. They shonld get roads at any rato to the extent of 2s 6d p6r acre on 10,000 acres, or get the money back. He further thought the Government could be compelled to make the roads irrespective of cost. The Chairman, who took up the cudgels for the Government somewhat warmly, said the district had better find out what had been spent before they talked about a case, or forcing the Government to do more. It was his opinion that the Government had fulfilled their part. He said that to his knowledge considerable sums had been voted for the roads in question. It was pointed out to the Chairman , that money had been voted by Parliament for expenditure iv the Oroua i Valley road, in order to give access to the Feilding Block, a different settlement. This money could not be said to have been spent for the benefit of settlers in the Birmingham Block. A somewhat desultory and rather acrimonious discussion, on the question of raising funds for other roads, then took place. The questions of forming a new county and further separation into more Koad Board Districts were discussed for some time. Eventually the business of the meeting 1 was a^aiu brought forward. It was decided that the same deputation, with the addition of Mr Homer, should interview the Premier on the occasion of his next visit to Feilding. The claims of the ratepayers in the Birmingham Block could be urged at the same time. It should be remembered that £900 had been as good as promised, and it should be pointed out that the completion of the main road would not only benefit blocks recently sold, hut would facilitate the sale of Urowu Lands jet to he offered for sale. Mr Hornor promised to get; a locality plan drawn out, showing where the expenditure was required and the districts beyond which would benefit by such expenditure. The meeting then terminated with the usual compliment to the chairman.