RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1973, 21 June 1880, Page 3

RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

This Council held its usual monthly meeting on Friday evening. Present—the Mayor (Mr H. Blackett), Crs. Johnston, Boyd, Good, Ellis, Ivory, Stephens. Letters received were read from Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade, applying for annual grant ; Canterbury Fire Association, re grant paid to R. V. Fire Brigade. This was explained that as the cheque of December last had been paid through the Borough the secretary of Brigade had entered it to tho credit of the Borough in error ; from Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board, inviting the attendance of Mayor to a meeting of the chairmen of the various Road Boards re action of Government with regard to the subsidies to local bodies; from Mr C. C. Bo wen, M.FI.R., in reply to the resolution passed at the public meeting re property tax, as follows :

Wellington, 14th June, 1880. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th June, forwarding to me, hy direction of the Kangiora Borough Council, a copy of resolutions paseed at a public meeting held in Kangiora on the 11th inst., and requesting me to do all in my power to get the property tax repealed. I must remind you that at the election in September last I told my constituents that I wou'.d do my best to get a general property tax sub tituted for the land tax. At that time the country generally, as well as my constituents, endorsed the policy of taxing all realised property, instead of singling out real oroperty only for taxation. All direct taxation is eminently unpleasant to the taxpayer, but it is admitted on all hands that direct taxation is necessary at the present time to pay the just debts of the colony. A land tax falls entirelyon one particular industry, and that the most important in the conntry. To obtain the money required from such a tax, it would have been necessary to make the rate crushingly severe on agriculturists. An income tax would be inquisitorial to the last degree, and in the present state of the country would have produced very little. The return of individual incemes this year, after deducting liabilities, wonld have been very small indeed, and would not have justified the vexatious character of the tax. It has, therefore, after mature consideration, been determined by the Government to confine the tax to realised property, the approximate value of which can be readily ascertained. In conjunction with other members I have urged on the Government the necessity for mitigating all provisions of an unduly harrassing or inquisitorial character, and I am glad to say that our representations have induced the Government to make such modifications as will minimise the inconveniency of the tax. Under the circumstances I cannot agree to advocate a reversal of the policy which I undertook at the late election, with the approval of my Kangiora friends, to support, and I feel sure that on further consideration they will approve my action in the matter. I nope that out of present adversity and its necessary consequences, two uses will arise—a stricter and more consistent economy on the part of the Government and legislature, and on the part of the people less frequent demand for unproductive expenditure.— Y ours faithfully, Ceas. C. Bowss. The Town Clerk, Kangio'a. Petition signed by thirty burgesses desiring that the KM. Court may be held on a Friday instead of Tuesday, as at present. From Mr Mr J. C. Boyle re rent, and stating that most of the grass on the reserve had been destroyed by fire. From borough of Greymouth, with statements of accounts for past financial year. From Returning Officer, announcing election of Messrs C. J. Chapman and T. Koss as auditors for current year. Cr. Ellis proposed that the fire brigade be granted the same subsidy as paßt year. Or. Good seconded, subject to a balance sheet of funds being sent to the Council. Or. Boyd proposed that a special rate should be made to meet this aid. The original motion was carried. Or. Johnston proposed that the petition to alter day of K.M. Court be received and submitted to Mr Whitefoord's convenience. Or. Good seconded. Carried. Cr. Boyd proposed that tho footpaths of Andrew street and Blackett street beformed, and the trees removed asnecessary. Seconded by Cr. Ellis. Carried. Or. Boyd moved, with regard to the circular from Road Board respecting meeting to consider subsidies—" That this Council agrees with the proposal of the Government that no subsidies should be granted to boroughs or local Boards out of any sums that might be taken out of the loan or consolidated revenue." Cr. Ellis seconded the motion, which was carried. Or. Good brought forward his motion rethe placing of post near Cr. Burt's property, and proposed that Or. Burt be called upon to pay the cost of erection. Or. Stephens seconded. Or. Ivory spoke of the necessity of the post and advantage to the public. The matter having been discussed, Or. Johnston proposed as an amendment—- " That the subject now drop, but thiß be not accepted as a precedent in future cises of the same kind." The amendment was carried. On the motion of Or. Good, seconded by Or. Ellis, it was resolved—" That a standing committee be appointed to inquire into charitable aid cases, consisting of the Mayor, Crs. Ellis, and the mover." Cr. Ivory proposed that tho plan and specification for erection of borough chambers as laid upon the table be accepted, subject to door and windows being altered, and tenders invited, a committee to be appointed to be called the ' Building Committee,' to carry out the arrangements." The chairman seconded. Cr. Good would desire to see a more compact and comfortable building erected, and one Buited to the requirements of the Council. Several amendments were proposed, and a long discussion ensued. Ultimately the plan was somewhat altered, and the original proposal oarried. The Councillors then formed themselves into committee. Upon resuming in Council, the Chairman reported that the appointment of permanent road-man was given to James West, and that Mr Jas. J. Robinson was appointed clerk and surveyor. Cr. Bobinson's as a Councillor was then entered on the minutes. The balance in Bank to date was stated to be £339 16s. Accounts amounting to £64 5s 4i were passed. The surveyor's report was then read and considered. The shingling of Church street footpath was ordered to be tendered for, and the «orks commttee to inspect and report on bridge near Grimwood's. The meeting then adjourned.