Meeting at Birmingham

Feilding Star, 17 June 1893, Page 2

Meeting at Birmingham

A meeting of ratepayers in the Apiti ward of the Kiwitea road district was held at Mr Lowe's hotel yesterday afternoon, at 1.80. The attendance was not large. The meeting was convened by Mr Homer, the warden, to consider the proposal of forming the Kiwitea Road District into a county. Mr Moore, who was voted to the chair on the motion of Mr Fowler, explained I that it was obvious something in the way of separation, or forming a county, would have to be done in order to enable them to get roads. He then invited those present to state their opin ons as to what was most desirable. Mr Homer considered the proposal to form the district into a county was best, as the working expenses would be far less than if road boards were formed. Mr Bruce was assisting them to form a county ; if be were successful, their borrowing powers would be increased, and he thought the best thing they could do would be to leave it as at present until Mr Bruce had tried. The roads were impassable and something would have to be done. At tbe recent meeting at Pemberton, a resolution was passed in favour of separation, tbe proposed boundary being from about Peep-o'-Day to Rangitikei river. £'3000 would not cover all expenses as there were 100,000 acres in the unroaded part of the district. The rates collected in the Apiti ward for 1893 amounted to £314, and for the year ending 1894 the revenue would be £514 It was unfair that the engineer should receive 5% on the amount of money borrowed, as it was more than if he were paid a salary. He was in favour of removing the offices to Birmingham, as they had a bank, and telegraph office, there, and the time had come for the re moval to a more central position. He was sorry ratepayers from Pemberton were not present. In reply to Mr Moore, Mr Homer said if formed into n county tbey would make fresh wards and the limit of the borrowing power would be £6000 a year. Mr Morton-said it bad become a necessity to either separate or form a county.. Another matter he considered of great importance was that under a road board the same rate had to be struck oyer tbe whole district, whereas under a county adiferential rate, could be struck. He was in favor of a county as they would only need one engineer, clerk, and one office, and thus save expense. The Apiti ward was at present £1015 in debt aud if a new road board was formed that liability would have to be taken over. Mr McCregor asked if the debt was legal. Mr Morton replied that the money was spent between Birmingham and Pemberton and it was always recognised that if a ward got iuto debt it would have to get out of it. Mr Homer said the £1000 would come out of the general accouut, aud he should certainly object to takiug over tbe whole debt. It would haye to be decided by a special commission. There were always three or four men on the roods and the amount received from rates was not sufficient to pay thorn. Mr Gladstone asked what became of the thirds before roads were made. Mr Homer said they wero spent on Kimbolton road. The thirds were not sufficient to pay interest ou the loan, aud a special rate would have to be collected, Mr McGregor wus prepared to submit the question of liability to a special commission. The forming a county would be cheaper, but nothing would be gamed as £6000 was insufficient for the requirements. He suggested that the Kiwitea Road District be formed into a county and take over the mam roads ; the wards being formed into road board*, when each could borrow £3000. They were going straight for separation at Pemberton. Gnly two thirds of tbe signatures in the district separating were required. They wanted the meetings to be held at Bir mingham and more representation. The revenue next year would be increased and he thought they could manage their own affairs. Their interests were not with Feilding, and he couldn't see why they had to go thirty-five miles to Feilding, when about nine miles would take them to Ohingaiti. Mr Homer said a road board could not collect more than one three, farthing rate, while the Kiwitea board was collecting two, under the Counties Act. Two bridges were needed over the Rangitikei — one at Viuegar Hill and the other at Rata. He suggested that thoy should get the county first and then get road boards if they wanted them. The Apiti and Hautapu were the only wards wanting money, aud if they borrowed £6000 it could be devided between them. There were 80,000 acres in his ward and it was too large for one man to represent, as it took up too much time, Mr Any on was of opinion that a county would be best. Mr Hodge proposed, and Mr Bathe seconded, that this meeting approves of the action of the board in forming the Kiwitea Boad district into a county.— Carried. Mr Anyon proposed, and Mr London seconded, that in the opinion of this meeting the road board offices should be held in a more central position. — Carried. Votes of thanks to the chairman and Mr Homer terminated the meeting.