AMALGAMATION COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 430, 31 May 1902, Page 2

AMALGAMATION COMMITTEE.

COMMISSION ASKED FOR,

A meeting of the Amalgamation Committee was held at the Council Chambers last evening, Mr G. Matthewson presiding. A communication was received from the Town Clerk, enclosing a copy of the letter received from the lion. J. C. V, ard, in which the latter stated that until there was more unanimity of opinion upon the matter the Government did not deem it advisable to alter the existing boundaries. In opening the proceedings Mr Matthewson recapitulated the steps that had been taken by the Committee, and complained of the treatment that the Committee had received at the hands o£ tho Government. The Committee was the prime mover in the matter, and should have had a reply ■from the Government in the first instance. The treatment that they had received was worse than gross neglect, and needed stronger language to describe it. It appeared to him to be a studied snub to tho Committee, and through the Committee a deliberate insult to a very large number of citizens in this district. Tho answer received from Mr Ward by the Dorough Council was simply a shuttle, and an attempt to put the petitioners off in an off-hand manner. Mr Matthewson referred to tho fact that the petition in favor oi amalgamation was signed by a large majority. He did not like using strong language, and it really was an occasion where strong language was inadequate for the purpose. The Government had been extremely discourteous and there had been a great failure of duty on their part. He was inclined to say that tho treatment

the Committee had received was downright official insolence. Mr Whinray : It is duo to our isolation.

Mr Matthewson then read tho following letter received from Mr J. W. Bright: >• I regret that I shall be unable to attend to-night’s meeting. The dccisiou arrived at by the Government appears to me to be in opposition to the facts and not in tho spirit of the provisions of the statuto enacted for this purpose. It is nearly time that the electors of Wainpu raised their voices in protest against such treatment as they havo received in this case, and to insist upon their representations receiving duo and fair consideration.” Mr Matthewson further stated that he did not seo whore the signatures could havo been obtained to the petition against amalgamation unless they had boon obtained outside the district. Ho moved tho following resolution : “ That tho Amalgamation Committee duly appointed by tho three local bodies affected by the proposed amalgamation deplores tho action of the Government in not replying to thennumerous communications upon this question, and also deploros and condemns the action of the Government in attempting to block the amalgamation petitions in the manner indicated in the Uolonial Secretary's letter to tho Borough Council, dated the 28rd inst., without acting in the manner prescribed by law and refusing to sot up a Commission to enquire into the petitions for and against amalgamation.” Mr Whinray seconded tho resolution, and endorsed the remarks of the Chairman. It seemed to him to bo on a par with other matters in this district, and was duo in a groat measure to our isolation. Tho difficulty the committee had received in getting an answer to this important petition seemed inexplicable. Mr Harding referred to the delay that had taken place. Ho had endeavored to get at the bottom of it, but had failed. He thought at the time that some of tho committee in favor of amalgamation must bo pulling tho strings to have the matter deferred, but such was not tho case. He had seen both petitions, and ho was thunderstruck when he saw tho reply from Sir J. Ward. If he were framing tho resolution he would put it even stronger than tho mover had done. If Sir Joseph Ward’s reply was correct, there must be something radically wrong that needed clearing up. As far as ho was concerned, he was determined to sift the matter to the bitter end. (Applause.) Tho speaker referred to the excellent services rendered by the Chairman of the Committee, who represented the Government on several local bodies. Tho stand taken by the Government was a reflection on Mr Matthewson.

Blr Blatthewson; Yes, and I feel it very bitterly, as tho fouder of Liberalism here. I voted against Read. It is my misfortune, however. I have been so consistent that they do not consider me at all; they do not trouble their heads about me.

Mr Lysnar strongly protested against the treatment the Committee had received, and urged that every effort should be made to obtain an impartial commission. Tho Committee should seo that the 'Government did not send a tool with his mind prejudged to hold the enquiry. The fact of tho long delay that had taken place showed that tho Government were not acting bona fide in the matter. They were not treating the district with the courtesy that they were entitled to. Tho resolution was carried.

The Chairman then moved, “ That the Amalgamation Committee realising the urgent necessity for amalgamation, and claiming that tho petition sent forward to the Government, carried a considerable majority of the ratepayers greater than was required by the Act, and so may reasonably demand that the Government may reconsider their decision and allow the petition to be dealt with according to the Act, and would also suggest that in order to save expense and give confidence to ratepayers affected that either or both the Stipendiary Magistrate at Gisborne, and Judge Batham, also of Gisborne, be constituted a commission to enquire into the petitions for and against amalgamation.” He wanted to see the enquiry made by one or both of tho gentlemen mentioned, and ho was sure that the ratepayers on both sides would be satisfied with the decision.

Mr Lysnar seconded the resolution. He had no doubt that if the Government elected either of the officials that it would give satisfaction to all. Taking into consideration tho discourteous way that the Committee had been treated they were right in taking the course they wore doing. Mr Whinray thought the resolution spoke for itself, and did not call for further comment. Tho resolution was carried. Mr F. Harris moved : “ That this Committee desire to thank the Borough Council for its action in obtaining an answer from the Government regarding the amalgamation question, especially so as this Committee were unablo to obtain an answer themselves, and would bo glad if the Council would again assist this Committee in trying to get a Commission set up by tho Government to enquire into the matter; and that copies of the resolu-

tions passed at this meeting and sent to the Government ho handed to the Borough Council for its information.” Having acknowledged the kindness of the Borough Council, Mr Harris referred to the exceedingly discourteous treatment that the Committee had received at the bands of the Government. He considered this all tho more unkind as be had been one of the Government’s most consistent

supporters; in fact he had lost standing through sticking to them in the days when they were down. It appeared to him that in any public question arising in Gisborne it tvas absolutely useless to move in the matter until one or two local Government kings had been interviewed and it was ascertained whether they were agreeable to it. If these local kings were against it, then they might as well go home, for they could do nothing. Every man who valued his freedom should resent the treatment that the Committee had received, and they should in every possible manner protest against one or two persons ruling against the number. The petition that they sent contained the names of the majority of_ ratepayers. He considered that Mr Ward’s reply was a deliberate shot at himself. As a Liberal supporter it put him under a cloud, and as one who had taken a prominent position in regard to the petition from Kaiti residents he was placed in a peculiar position. Whatever signatures to which he had attached his affidavit he was prepared to stand by. He thanked the Borough Council for the way they had treated the Committee. If the Government had only treated them half as well the matter would have been settled long ago. Mr Matthewson seconded the resolution, and again referred to the manner in which '

the Committee had been ignored, both as individuals and as n committee. The Government wero rather afraid to ignore the Borough Council, and the Committee would have to rely upon tho Borough Council for further assistance in the matter.

Mr Lysnar pointed out that every day showed the necessity for amalgamation. Only that afternoon at the Whataupoko Road Board meeting, two officers applieU for an increase of salary, and the duties of both could easily bo carried out by the Borough Council without increase of cost. Then there was the unsatisfactory manner in which the County Council controlled the roads. If they wero to progress, they must at once go iu for amalgamation. Mr Sweet: Wecaunot even get a gaslamp over our way. Mr Matthewson said that in regard to the question of sanitation, amalgamation was equally essential. They could thon have one health district, and united action could be taken in regard to any nuisance. As the population increased the need for amalgamation would be more and more apparent. Mr Harding instauced the Kaiti nuisance, as showing the necessity of having one Health Board and one Inspector. There was also the saving that would be affected if they had one central government body, lie considered that everything could be carried out for a little more

than a third of the present cost. Mr Lysnar referred to tho increasing population in the suburbs, and tho need of a comprehensive schemo in regard to drainage. Mr Harding said the Borough was tho smaller portion, and the only way to have a sanitary scheme to cover the suburbs was by amalgamation.