PROPOSED MANGATU LOAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 241, 19 October 1901, Page 3

PROPOSED MANGATU LOAN.

OBJECTION FROM TWO SETTLERS.

Messrs il. Campbell and 11. E. Tiffen, of Mangatu, waited upon the Council and objected to their properties being chargeable with the special rate ot‘ one penny and three-sevenths which it was proposed to levy tor the payment of interest in connection with tiie proposed loan of £.'>ooo for tiie Mangatu district. They contended that they would derive no bene tit from the road which it was intended to construct, and desired that their properties should not he included in the rating area. The following signatures appeared on the petition for the loan in question : —J. Partridge, Mangatu, No. 1, 1508 acres ;* roods, rateable value £'1691 ; William Cooper, 4214 acres 1 rood, rateable value £1592; 11. C. Jackson, for Trustees, Mangatu. 1100 acres, £500; Tulloch Pros., 2700 acres, £1100; A. ilegarty, 4200 acres, £IBOO ; L. C. Allan, 25:>0 acres, £1000; H. C. Jackson, for Trustees, balance of Mangatu No. 1, 155,000 acres. £42557. The objectors were: 11. Campbell, «‘>6o2 acres l rood 18 perches, £7048; and 11. E. Tiffen, 4508 acres o roods. £1691.

Mr Campbell contended that as the land had been made over to the trustees iho latter should not he allowed to get out of paying County rates, lie had been saddled with too much already ill the way of rates, and had done more than his share in making roads. The fact of his paying special rates for some time past iiad been the means of getting the present roads. He considered that his property should be left out of the list of those chargeable for the proposed loan, as he would not benefit by the road which it was intended to construct.

Cr King said that be understood that when the Trustees were appointed the land would be rateable. The Chairman said that the laud was native land and not rateable.

Mr H. C. Jackson, who was present in support of the proposed loan, said that the land was chargablo for rates. In order that it might be freed from all restrictions attached to Native Lands it had been taken over b,v the trustees. He could assure the Council upon the matter. He addressed the Council with regard to the objections of Messrs Titl'eu and Campbell, and contended that they would, to an appreciable extent, benefit by the expenditure of the loan money. The trustees desired that the Council should rate the land so that incoming tenants should also be charged. The only possible means of access to the block was through Campbell's Inn 3, and the road had been laid oil over ten years ago. Mr Titfen said that that his objection to being included in the loan district was that lie derived no benefit from the road. There was also the question as to whether certain lands could be included on account of being over five miles from the roads.

Cr King said that Mr Jackson said they would be included, but Mr Tifi’en questioned whether the law would allow Mr Jackson to include them. Mr Jackson : The rive-mile radius only applies to Native Land. I wish the Council to clearly understand that this is not Native Land in any sense of the word. Cr Tombleson: What benefit does Messrs Campbell and TitVen derive .’ Mr Jackson: They will get over three miles of road. Mr Tiffen : Wc do not use the road, and have no desire to be included.

Mr Campbell said that Mr Campbell had stated that it was very important that Messrs Heggarty. Tullock, and others should get a road. If they wanted a road then let them pay for it. It was of no benefit to him iMr Campbell). x The Chairman thought the proper course was to refer the petition back for a readjustment ou a more equitable basis. Cr King concurred with the Chairman. He was anxious to do his utmost to give settlers in the back blocks roads, but he had no desire to do any particular ratepayers an injustice. Cr Tombleson took the same view. So far as he could see. Messrs Campbell and Tiffen were being unfairly pulled into it. The difficulty might be got over as tar as Mr Campbell was concerned by Mr Jackson refunding him the special rate for three years, that being the term Mr Campbell’s "lease had to run. Mr Jackson did not think that the request was a reasonable one. He emphasised the fact that delay in regard to the loan would prevent settlers making use of the road this summer. Iu one case, three thousand acres of bush bad been felled, and the owner of the property wanted to get grass-seed and fencing wire to his place. Further delay meant that development of the district was being seriously retarded.

Mr Campbell: Ido not think you will get the ban. The Chairman: There need be no delay. All you require to do is to put a pen through the two names and alter the amount. Mr Jackson : I would ask the Council to defer the matter uutil Mr Gold-Smith arrives to-morrow.

Mr Campbell: I object to that. It is about time I was relieved of this •* white man's burden " iu paying special rates to make roads to Native lands. After further discussion, it was decided to refer the petition back to the petitioners, and hold a special meeting on the following Saturday to consider the matter,