GREATER GISBORNE .

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 129, 11 June 1901, Page 2

GREATER GISBORNE .

CONFERENCE OF ROAD BOARDS.

A conference of members of the Whataupoko and Haiti Road Boards was held last ni«ht at the Borov.;'i Council Chambers. There were presc" : Messrs Matthewson (in tho chair), W. D. Lysnar, D. M. Orr, A. F, Bridges, F. Harris, F. Bull, and Captain Ferris. . . ... The Chairman, in explaining the object of the meeting, said that the question of amalgamation was more urgent now than ever it was. He considered tliat the Borough should take the initiative, but as they had failed to do so, tho Boad Boards must now move iu tlio matter thoinsolves. Of course if tho Borough ratepayers objected they would not be able to do anything in tho matter. Mr had taken great trouble in tho matter and had obtained particulars bearing on the

subject. . r Apologies were received from Messrs Harding and Siev wright. The following letter from Mr Sievwright was read by Mr Lysnar“ Gentlemen,—l regret that the weather will prevent mo froni attending the informal meeting to-night, for considering the subject of the suburban districts being added to the Borough of Gisborne, and gathering information bearing upon the matter. Mr Lysnar, however, asks mo to write this letter to express any views I may have, and I, therefore, do so, as one of the members of the Whataupoko Road Board. 1. If

the Borough boundaries are to be extended, I agree with what Mr Lysnar pointed out to me as the proposed IVhataupoko extension —viz., to limit it to the flat laud likely to be thickly populated—say, by the creek to and including sections 47 and 48, thence by Hill road. 2. If an Examination of statistics goes to show that the IVhataupokg suburb will be no worse off, financially, than

present, that will be a strong ground for amalgamation. 3. The question of drainage is one of much importance ; and at present I do not see how a drainage system for Gisborne can be fitted in, satisfactorily, with a drainage system for (say) the Whataupoko Ward, because of the separation of the two by the Taruheru river. 4. The same observation will moro or loss apply to a water supply, and it has to be remembered that, comparatively, Whataupoko has little need at present for either a drainage or water supply system ; whilo if it amalgamates with Gisborne, it will have to bear its share of the expenditure for those purposes. 5. If Whataupoko bo treated as a Ward then much of the difficulty would be removed, as matters could be so "arranged that at present at least, and for some time to come, neither the drainage nor water schemes shall apply—until the need really arises. 6. For all ordinary purposes—that is to say excluding the drainage and water schemes for the present—it is perhaps desirable to recommend amalgamation. But even then I am of opinion that Whataupoko ought to bo a Ward of the extended Borough. In the absence of fuller information than we have now, I do not think we ought to make any definite proposal. The object of the meeting I understand to be mainly to get possession of all information, and to discuss all questions in the light of such information, so that the residents may understand properly any proposal that may by and by be submitted to them.” Continuing, Mr Lysnar said that with the assistance of Mr Bridges and the Town Clork he had been able to collect information on the subject. The first question was whether it was prudent to amalgamate, and secondly what should the boundaries be ? He showed that there would bo no legal difficulties. The rates in the borough, which enjoyed greater benefits than the outlying districts, were less than in the road districts. For a property of the value of £IOO the amount payable in borough rates would bo 12s fid ; for a property of the samp valuo in Kaiti the rates would be 18s 9d, and the Whataupoko 16s Bd. For a property of the value of £SOO the borough rate would be £3 2s 6d, in Kaiti the rates would be £4 13s 9d, in Whataupoko £4 13s 9d. The proportion could be calculated on the basis of DIOO. The calculation was on the borough’s last rate, and not the future one, The borough rate was on annual value, and in the overriver districts on the capital value, which meant that ijd in the suburbs would be equal to Is in the borough. He instanced the case of a 11400 property in the borough; the rating there was £‘2 12s 6d, in Kaiti it was £5 4s 4s 7d, and in Whataupoko .24 Bs. He gave several other instances, £1 4s being added for sanitation, but even without that he showed that in the borough the rates were less. In the calculations ho had not included tho harbor rate, which was double in the borough, but that in no way affected the question, because the boundaries for the double rating were defined by Act of Parliament, and even if the borough were extended the rating area would not be affected.

Mr Harris: It is a vital question. Mr Lysnar went on to give an experience of his own in regard to the counties, and said that it was quite clear that only an Act of Parliament could affect the radius. By joining the borough tho road districts would not have to pay a county rate; that would be equal to Is in the borough, and thus the road districts for 3d extra rate would get the advantage of any water and sewerage scheme adopted by the borough, and it would also be helpful to the borough. In regard to tho loans, the general loans would be apportioned to the different districts, and special loans would be borne by the special areas. The three bodies were fortunate in having light permanent liabilities. Whatever loan each body had would remain a liability on that area, but the whole area could be pledged for a general loan to raise the money at as cheap a rate as possible; areas benefited by future improvements would have to. pay. As to roads, the County Council claimed that the road restrict was Indebted to the County, and that the debt was increasing, that last year £72 8s Id was spent on the roads in excess of the amount due, that in the previous year there was a deficiency of £44 13s Id, and in 1898 a deficiency of £4l 7s 3d.

The Chairman said the deficiency was brought about by including such roads as Tatapouri. The claim would not hold on being looked into. " Mr Lysnar took a like view, and considered that the Council would be glad to get rid of the unprofitable roads. Mr Bridges : At what compensation ?

Mr Lysnar: None. He considered that there would be no’allowance due. Mr Bridges : I am afraid there will be some difficulty about that. Mr Lysnar said the difficulty he considered would bo for the Council to sub-

stantiate any claim. He went on to show the boundaries of the proposed district. In Whataupoko the capital value of the proposed district was £80,600. In the now area of Kaiti the capital value was £50,000, based on the new rate. That would give an increased rateable property of £130,000 to the borough, in which the capital value was £306,000, making a grand total of £436,600. Mr Orr : Nearly half a million ; we could speak with more authority then. Continuing, Mr Lysna,r said it would give the borough £130,000 greater value, and the suburbs would increase in greater proportion than the borough. The main* questions to consider were water and drainage, and ho would add to that (he question of a new b'ridgo, which must be faced. If £SOOO were added to the, estimates they might have a bridge higher up the . river, a bridge across Kaiti at Harris’ bend, and still leaving a thousand pounds -to widen tho Peel street bridge aoross the Taruheru. The increased rate by adding the £5,000 to the estimates would be a mere nothing spread over the whole district. Mr Orr: Nothing compare! to the advantages. Mr Lysnar said that it would also assist them in the abattoir -question, and the trouble of having stock driven through the town would be avoided. Considering only a chain of the property on the Whataiipolcb side of the bridge belonged to the borough, they could not expect that the borough’-would help them more in that matter. In regard to tho water-rate, if the suburbs:were not ripe for the scheme they could not be rated for it, as such loans must ho obtained on distinet lines; it could only be charged to lands or buildings suppliod, or to those within 100 ft. of a main ; if they were not within that thero was not a farthing to pay. The Borough bad power to mako regulations for an extraordinary supply to those who

used more than a certain quantity. A rate for drainage would be struck all over the district or as the Borough chose to strike it. The Borough would bo benefited bv an additional rating value of .£130,600, and the suburb brought in' would benefit by the administration, sanitation, lighting, bridges, and if united would bo paying less rates. People who were being I left out, at the back, might be said to liave a complaint, but they would not; thoy would j have all thoy lovied to spend about thpir own properties. As to tlio| existing loans they would simply have to bear thqir share. For instance, Whataupoko value was h ( J9,01-5 ; all that would be taken over but T 18,444, which would be the proportion the remainder would have to boar. The position was sound and prudent and would bo beneficial to all.It would bo an exemplification of tho axiom that “ unity is strength ” —thoy would all be strong. (Applause.) In reply to questions, Mr Lysnnr said they could not do anything definite that night, — and it should go before tho ratepayers before being put beforo tho Borough again. After considerable discussion as to tho methods of rating, Mr Bridgos questioning tho fairness of the present system in the Borough, Captain Ferris raised tho question of representation. Mr Lysnar explained that that could easily -bo got over by arrangement. Tho number of the Council could bo increased to twelve or more—the peoplo wore practically tho same in the threo districts. What they should do would bo to ask tho Council to increase the membership of tho Council on tho basis ol population. Mr D. M. Orr said: —I am in favor oi amalgamation for the following reasons 1. Wo shall have our ratos collected bettor. 2. We shall have our sauitary matters attonded to properly. 3. We shall not have to pay more rates, and, looking ahead of amalgamation, wo shall shortly bo able to send a member to Parliament for tho City of Gisborne. One stipulation I should like to mako before agreoing to amalgamation, is that the borough shall expend the rates received from Whataupoko, loss cost of administration, on Whataupoko. Ido not think tho Borough should cavil at this, becauso it is only by the suburbs joining that it can hope to obtain an efficient water supply, and while on this subject (of course it will be for the ratepayers to decide), I would like to point out that it is moro for the suburbs than the town a water supply is necessary, bccauso it is there the children arc reared, and it is thero we want clean wholesome water.

Captain Ferris said they had to thank Mr Lysnar for the clear way in which ho had put matters before them. Ho (tho speaker) was doubtful when ho came there, but tliorc was nothing in Mr Lysnar’s arguments they could challenge. He would gladly do what ho could to assist when the matter was placed before a meeting of ratepayers. Mr Harris also thanked Mr Lysnar, and said that lie hoped tho address would bo fully reported, because it was of groat interest to Kaiti people, and he believed that the proposal would be carried. Ho pointed to the necessity of a system of drainage and sanitation in the suburbs. Mr Lysnar said that a petition of onefourth of the ratepayers in tho suburbs would bo sufficient, but ho trusted that it would be three-fourths. They must not expect to get it through without somo opposition, but if they had a strong following of ratepayers behind them it would be carried. After further general remarks, Mr Lysnar moved : “ That a public mooting of the ratepayers of Whataupoko and Kaiti be called at as early a dato as possible, to discuss the question of amalgamation of portions of the Kaiti and Whataupoko districts with tho Borough of Gisborne, with the view of hearing tho wishes of the ratepayers upon this question before approaching tho Borough Council in the matter.” “Let us approach our ratepayers first,” said Mr Lysnar, “ get their views, and then come to tho Council.”

Mr Bridges seconded tho motion, which he said'he did with much pleasure. Tho Chairman said that Mr Lysnar had proved that it was to tho interest of all parties if amalgamation took place. As to the back portions of tho road districts, they could not be worse off, for if thoy so desired they oould simply remain with tho county rate. In addition to tho material point of view, there was also tho sontimental point of view ; a borough with a population of 5000 would have much greater weight than one with 3000. Tho motion was carried with applause. The proposed boundaries as outlined by Mr Lysnar on the map are : Whataupoko : Following the creek from the riverside cutting to Fox, street ; then following by the road in front of the property lately owned by Mr Winter Hamou,

but not including that property ; then through the middle of Mr Siovwright’s property, striking the Hill road, and proceeding along that until it junctions with Ballance street; then taking a straight line to the Mangapapa boundary near the water shed, and following that in a stright lino to tho Taruberu river, striking the river opposite the Hospital, Kaiti: Starting at Graham’s road in front of Mr Bridges’ house (which is excluded), and following that until it strikes DeLautour road ; then until it strikes tho Wainui main road, then following tho boundary between Kaiti and Titirangi until it strikes the sea. Titirangi is excluded, the freezing works and breakwater being included.