COUNTY COUNCIL’S COMPLAINT.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1925, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCIL’S COMPLAINT.

DISSATISFACTION WITH LANDS | ADMINISTRATION. i THAMES, Sept. 9. j At (i moot ins of the Hatiraki Plains Comity Cmuicil strong exception was.ii taken' to a stiiteinent hy the Minister of |, ; mils last week to the eitect that the council had taken twopence in the pound from settlers and given nothing in return. One councillor said that the Patetonga ratepayers had a real grievance against the (Invernment. which admitted that portions ot the- land should never have hecn opened for settlement. The I lovernment had compelled the council to takeover roads whethet the settlers liked it or not. It had nunte repeated promises to clay the roads and make them lit for metal. '1 he total collectable rates in Patetonga j ridines were not sufficient to metal a mile of road. 'J he Minister had made ; a deliherate attempt to belittle the council. His methods savoured of the mailed fist. . j Tile c iimeil carried the lollowing j i,jo!i : .ji ■naninmusly : ” Chat this , V rord.s (jeep resentment at the j hostile attitude displayed by the Minister of Lands, who from the Hoof of the House made an unwarranted attack upon the policy and administration ot the llauraki Plains County Coiiueil wh’.cn replying to a request made hy Mr Poland for the relief ot the just grievances of settlers in the patetmiga riding. Further, the council is of"oiiiniou that an endeavour is heirig made by the Minister to shill: ihe responsibilities ol the Dejau tmelit on the shoulders of the local hotly, and the statement attributed to hint .that 1 1 11 • llauraki Plains County Count il was taking 2d in the jitnind from settlers and giving nothing in return is absolutely unfounded.”' Later the Minister was severely criticised for his control of the Lands Department and his attitude to He Haui r.k i i’lains set tlet s. A met ion was passed strongly objecting to the dredge rate imposed this year hy the Department, one cuuneil- !,„• stiii jnc.l lhai the Minister had not shown eunsideration to the settler-, lie had given an a-.-ur.ame that m.l .. ~,,1,1 1,0 dene south ol Pi! le-

Vi i 'ifptitutioii reached I Ilf ir hollies the 'Ledge 11' 1 > la-ell |.-i ( li> Work. Tin- Minster was charged n uncillnr «nli iu;t ki iiii wild Malo-iir-ils nl tl't' < ••Hilly nflirvs, ami will! failure to keep promises with ro.tr.nrd to llu- I .anils Departmoiit. Ho _•>:»»* challenged llio coumil’s book-keeping. ;,„.l saitl lio would have an auditor dov, n to see v. hat they wore donor with tlio money. When oomiriilors had controlled their feelings suMiciontly t;,) tell the Minister that. the balance-sheet had lieen returned without a "tag." duly certified as correct, lie had said he would like to -see a photograph el' it. I'.verywhere on toe olaii.t settlers were demanding a euoluission to investigate the work of the hands I )epart incut in that area. It the Minister was dissatisfied with the mlministration <»t county tlion would leil the Minister that the people were verv dissatisfied with the conduct ~f the j .anils Department as far as 11 aura hi I’laius were concerned.