GREATER GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 137, 20 June 1901, Page 3

GREATER GISBORNE.

MEETING OF ROAD DISTRICT RATEPAYERS.

A meeting of ratepayers in the Kaiti and Whataupoko road districts was held last night to consider the question of merging into the borough. There were about sixty persons present, Mr Matthewson presiding. The Chairman said he thought it would be shown that it would be to the advantage of the road districts to merge, and he certainly thought the populous parts should do so. They would have to wait on the Council to ascertain what the views of that body were, but in the meantime they desired to obtain information as to the advantage and disadvantage of merging into the borough. He called on Mr W. Douglas Lysnar to address the meeting. Mr Lysnar said that in considering the question he thought they ahould leave out the question of the prudence of adopting the scheme beforo the Council, because if

they wore joinod to the borough they

would have a voice in the adoption or rejection of the schemes. If a scheme were adopted that was too small to take in the suburbs it would bo hampering the suburbs whether or not the scheme was a success. Mr Lysnar discussed the question much on the lines previously reported as to the financial aspect, giviig tho illustration supplied when addressing the conference of road board members. In raising money they would adopt tho longest term, 41 years, at 3 *- per cent. He believed in Mr Whinray’s idea that po-stcrity should pay its share. The Act he quoted from was tho Loans to Local Bodies Act of 1889. Ho would favor getting the money without a sinking fund, which he behoved could be done in a progressive district like this. Ho pointed out that in his letter to tho Times Mr Siovwright had taken the shorter torm.

Mr Siovwright said the amount stated included sinking fund. The Chairman said that question was not under discussion now.

Mr Siovwright said that in raising it Mr Lysnar was only inviting attacks from tho other side.

Mr Lysnar continued with his illustrations of rating effects, and also inado lengthy reference to tho existing loans of the local bodies interested. Tho question of the County Council’s claim, on account of tho main road through Kaiti and Whataupoko, was touched upon by Mr Lysnar, who thought that this matter could be disposed of without much trouble. Tho capital value of tho Borough was something over .£300,000, and those portions of tho suburbs which it was intended to take in represented a capital value of over X'loo,ooo, giving a total of over .£400,000 capital value to rate upon. The amalgamation was advisable in order that something should bo done in respect to tho construction of bridges. Mr Ambridgc said that ho understood that tho Road Boards were unanimous on the question of the area that should bo taken in. It appeared to him that the Chairman of tho Whataupoko Itoad Board had hold aloof from tho matter through-

out, and lie (Mr Ambridgc) wished to know tho reason of this.

Mr Lysnar said that unfortunately Mr Matthews was absent from Gisborne at tho present time. He believed that Mr Matthews was in favor of amalgamating on tho lines which he had referred to.

Mr Siovwright was not prepared to follow Mr Lysnar or anyone else in regard to this matter, lie did not think Mr Lysnar’s figures wore sufficiently explicit. Ho (Mr Siovwright) wantod to see a committee appointed, and information that they could rely upon obtained. lie moved tho following resolution : “ This meeting is of opinion that, while it may bo found to bo dosirablo that the Borough of Gisborno should bo extended so as to includo tho Whataupoko No. G sub-division and tho Kaiti block, or some defined portions of those areas, it is neces-

sary, before coming to any conclusion, to obtain the fullest and most accurate in-

formation upon the questions of boun

duries, statistics and finance, and therefore resolves that a committee consisting of tho Chairman, Messrs A. F. Matthews, Lysnar, J. W. Witty, R. D. B. Robinson, T. A. Coleman, and the mover, bo ap-

pointed to oxatuino into and report, to an adjourned mooting, upon the questions referred to, giving data and conclusions thereon—tliroo members to form a quorum.” Mr Stafford seconded tho resolution.

Ho thought tho liguros quoted by Mr Lysnar wore misleading. Ho had carefully considered the matter, and as a ratepayer in both places ho did not think it would bo to tho advantage of Whataupoko to join with the borough, Ho owned n, property in Gisborne, tho capital value of which was T 315, and ho know a pro-

pcrty at Wliataupoko, owned by Mr .Lysnar, tho capital valuo of which was jgy 15. Comparing tho rates paid in both places, ho found that tho Wliataupoko property paid X'2 10s less than tho town ono. Mr Stafford cited another caso where tho comparison was equally in favor of Wliataupoko. He contended that tho rates at Wliataupoko wero about half tlioso paid in Gisborne. If they wore compelled to amalgamate then ho complained of tho boundaries suggested as being too confined, Mr A. F. Bridges next took the platform. Ho did not think that Mr Stafford had made out a good caso, his conclusions having been basod upon tho Borough valuations, which wore far rrom perfect. Butting aside individual cases, and taking tho capital valuo of the borough and suburbs, worked out at the same rate as tho Road Boards', it would be seen that the difference was in favor of the borough. This was tho true stato of affairs, and there was no gainsaying it. He contended that tho valuation of tho borough should not be done by the Town Clorlt, but by an independent valuer. Tho Town Clerk was there to do the bidding of the Council, the members of which were jargo holders of property in tho borough, and it was not right to put him in tho position of making tho valuation. Mr Sievwright : Does the borough valuer also make tho capital valuation for tho collection of the land tax ?

Mr Bridges : Certainly not Capt. Ferris thought the meeting was | indebted to Mr Lysnar for the great | amount of trouble lie had tal;en in regard to the question of joining with the borough. To his mind there were many things to bo considered. After drawing a comparison between advantages and disadvantages of amalgamating, Capt. Ferris wont on to speak of t'n •• amount paid in rates, as follows : As regards the comparison between the rates paid by us and those paid by the burgesses, although at the present time we pay (based on the capital value of our properties without the addition of the rubbish removal charge) considerable mqre on properties of equal capital value with those in the borough who pay on the rental value, yet there is no guarantee that the principle of rating on the rental value will be perpetuated in the borough. In fact, iu my opinion, the soouer the principle of rating on the capital value is adopted in the borough the sooner there will be a more equitable imposition of rates tq be paid amongst the property-holders in the borough. A problematical sacrifice is required from us to enable ns to obtain great advantages, one of which is that necessary in the interests of sanitation. We are asked to run the risk of no representation in the new Borough, and of not having a proper proportion of its revenue devoted towards our requirements. I say risk, for its only a risk, not an absolute certainty that we would not be treated as well as part of the ' amalgamated Borough as we aro under the present system—no good and worthy object has ever been attained without some sacrifice. And when we look back on the past’ few months, and the obloquy that has been cast on our fair district, it behoves us to take some steps to protect | the young ones growing up amongst us from insidious diseases. I have shown as briefly a 3 possible tho advantages and disadvantages as they present themselves to me, and I am prepared to run the risk of any sacrifice there may be in amalgamation with the present Borough, and it is for you as ratepayers to give the matter your earnest consideration, and l am confident that your good sense will direct you to take tho same view of the question as I have done. Mr Bright approved of tho resolution. The question of amalgamation had been forced upon them by the Borough ol Gis-

borne taking steps towards raising a lean for water and drainage, and it was for the road districts to consider whether they should not participate in the benefits that the Borough sought to obtain. Ihey should not mind paying a few shillings more if they were to have a proper water supply and drainage scheme, and sooner or later the suburbs would be forced to have them. , Mr Lysnar, in replying to Mr Stafford, said that the latter had taken the rateable value of the Borough properties, and in this way had been led to form a wrong conclusion. The Chairman referred to the resolution as calculated to cause delay. He thought that steps should at once be taken to amalgamate with the borough. The position had been clearly put before the meeting by Mr Lysnar, and it would be found that his figures were fairly accurate. . The committee could not, he thought, arrive at a different conclusion.

Mr Sweet suggested that the Borough Council should be approached by the committee. He moved an amendment to that effect, this being seconded by Mr F. Harris.

Mr Sievwright said that the amendment to his mind was a case of putting the cart before the horse. If one-fourth of the ratepayers desired to amalgamate with the borough they had to petition the Governor, tho Borough Council could file a counter petition. Mr Hubble, addressing Mr Lysnar, said: “ I should like to ask you, Mr Lysnar, whether you are sincere in this matter? ”

The question was deemed irrelevant by the Chairman, but Mr Lysnar asked to be allowed to reply. “Ho has asked mo a fair and straightforward question,” said Mr Lysnar, “ and I should like to reply to it. I say that lam honest and sincere in this question. No man is more desirous of seeing this amalgamation brought about than I'am. I have large interests in the borough, and also in Whataupoko and Kaiti, and I can see that it is to the advantage of tho suburbs to join with the borough. lam not alone in the position I have taken up. Tho Chairman, Mr Matthewson, has for yoars advoeatod this amalgamation.” “ That is so,” interjected the Chairman.

Mr Lysnar continuing, said, “ I have only collected this information. It is tho united boards who are moving in the matter. I saw a letter in the Tijies this morning, and tho writer asked what I wanted in regard to this matter. I look upon this question from a sanitary point of view, and also from a pecuniary point of view. I havo large interests in Whataupoko and Kaiti, and I am desirous of bringing these into the Borough. I am working honestly and squarely for the advantage of all. This is a case of unity is strength. I /see it as plainly as possible that united we are strong, but if we do not unite it is as plain as possible that there will be no water supply and drainage scheme for the Borough. The Borough is not strong enough of itself to get water and drainago.”

A vote being taken, the amendment was declared carried by a small majority. A voto of thanks to the Chairman terminated tho proceedings.