MEETING OF AVON RATEPAYERS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2409, 24 December 1881, Page 3

MEETING OF AVON RATEPAYERS.

The adjourned meeting of ratepayers of tlio Avon district was held last evening in the Town Hall, Papnnui, shortly after seven o'clock, Mr T. S. Weston was voted to the chair. Abont fifty persons were present. The Chairman having briefly stated the business of the meeting, viz., to receive the report of the deputation recently appointed to interview the Avon Road Board and Selwyn County Council, and also to decide what steps shall be taken respecting the proposed secession from the district, called upon Mr Ellen to state the result of these interviews. Mr Ellen said that the deputation had. ascertained the amount derived from wards as already constituted. The Chairman of the Road Board gave them the amount of rates collectable from |each ward in its present position, viz.: —No, 1 ward, £7O; No. 2 ward, £34 18s; No. 3 ward, £444 14s; No. 4 ward, £417; No. 5 ward. £188; total, £1154 12s. The rateable value of the portion proposing to secede was £162 Os 2d. He contended that there was no need of division, as was the case six months ago, and they ought to all row in the same boat. Considerable discussion ensued, in which Messrs D. Thomas, Goodland, Munro, Duncan, Dunlop, Cochrane, Kruse and Mitchell took part. Mr Cochrane moved, and Hr Elliott seconded—** That the whole of the remainder of the Avon district, with the exception of Bingsland, go over to Riccorton." Mr C. T. Ick thought that the present meeting was not representative of the district, and would therefore move ** That this meeting stand adjourned for a month, for the purpose of obtaining the fullest information/' Mr C. E. Briggs seconded the amendment. Mr E. Mitchell would remind them that the Selwyn County Council would have to decide on the question of the proposed secession on Tuesday next. A petition against this had been prepared for signature by the ratepayers, which he would ask those present to sign. Mr A. H. E. King would remind them that if Bingsland were excepted it would become the Avon Road .Board District, and benefit by the Board’s reserve.’ The Chairman then put the amendment, which was carried by 27 to 4. Nearly every person present having signed the petition already mentioned, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr C. T. Ick— ** That a committee be formed, consisting of Messrs W. Norman, J. W. Ellen, E. Mitchell, Cresswell,T. S. Weston, and the mover, to consider the whole question, and bring up a report thin day month." A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.