Pohmgina County Election Contest.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 110, 6 November 1896, Page 2

Pohmgina County Election Contest.

Mr E. T. Harrison, a candidate for the Mangaone riding seat in the Pohangina County Council, addressed a meeting of ratepayers in that riding at Mr Skerman's residence. Zig-Zag road, yesterday afternoon. There were from 15 to 20 ratepayers present and Mr W. G. Haybittle was voted to the chair. Mr Harrison, in his address, said the County overdraft at the present time was L2OOO, on which they paid Ll4O interest, and this riding paid one-»eventh of it although they derived no benefit from an overdraft. Mr ft. W. Brown, the present councillor, did not know the riding was paying one-seventh of the interest, which should not be so when they had little or no overdraft. Mr Brown said that when he went in the overdraft was L 305, but he forgot to say that there were outstanding rates to come in and LB4 to be refunded from loan money. He thought , Mr Brown's estimate ot expenditure , could be reduced by raising a loan and completing the roads. By this means the work could be done cheaper and the rates

reduced. He thought the Ll6O paid for roadmen's wages was high and mitrht be reduced it all the roads were completed. The L 122 10s set down by Mr Brown for new works and contingencies would more than pay interest on a LI2OO loan, which he estimated would complete all their roads. It" this loan was raised he thought their rates could be reduced to one penny, which would cover all expenses, including interest on the loan. The money spent on Denton's road was, comparatively speaking, thrown away. This and the improvements to Johnston's residence were the only new works done by Mr Brown, but the; roadmen did the work at small cost, and little <-r no money was spent on new works. Mr Brown could not f^et the work he proposed done out of rates, and they had no guarauteo the rates would not be increased from Hd to 1-i-d. If he was not sure the rates could be reduced by raising a loan he would advocate it. In reply to questions, Mr Harrison said that about a \d rate would pay the interest on a loan of £1200. A general rate of -Jd would be sufficient for administration and maintenance of roads on the present valuation. A ±1200 loan would cost MO a year, and the ±'122 estimated as available for new works would more than cover the interest charges. He would propose to rate all settlers for the suggested loan, excepting i those included in the second loans. He would not be in favour of metalling thn Zig Zag road out of an overdraft, but if a loan could not be carried he would, if elected, consult the ratepayers on the matter, and if they desired it he would then be willing to pay the cost (which he thought would be not less than ±200) out of an overdraft. If elected he would see that the present system of charging interest to the ridings was altered. It would be a good idea to let the maintenance of roads by contract. He would not be in favor of dispensing with the services of the ranger. He would propose to spend the ±1200 loan in metalling Zig Zag road to Gnce's corner, and to Mr Johnston's residence ; metalling about ten chains of Pobangina Valley road ; a portion of Denton's road ; and the balance to be spent in putting the present roads in as good repair as possible. The £1200 would be spent in the old portion of the riding. Only about ±300 each year could be obtained on account of a loan. Mr Pollock said Mr Brown was elected to keep down the expenses and reduce the debt, and he did so. The majority present knew that a loan could not be carried. Mr Harrison replied that when Mr Brown was asked to stand be was not asked to economise, but it was his (Mr Brown's) own idea. A vote of thanks to Mr Harrison and the chairman terminated the meeting.