COUNTY BOUNDARIES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4466, 13 September 1922, Page 1

COUNTY BOUNDARIES.

THE TAHUNA RIDING. SECESSION FROM PLAINS. DESIRED BY SETTLERS. A request by the settlers in the Tahuna riding urged that that riding be transferred from the Hauraki Plains County to the Piako Cpupty, and to this end a deputation consisting of Messrs Jensen ,Speedy, Hedley, Clothier, and Barnett waited bn the Hauraki Plains' County Council at its meeting on Monday. The Piako County Council advised having passed ,a resolution proposing to make applieaton to have the Tahuna riding excluded from the Hauraki Plains County and included in the Piako County.

Cr. Whitechurch, introducing the deputation, said that ever since Tahuna had been included in the Hauraki Plains County there had always been objections.

Cr Hayward had moved that the Tahuna riding secede from the Hauraki Plains County and join the Piako County. Cr. Whitechurch said they were not casting any reflection on the Plains county, but Tahuna’s interests were the other way. He asked that they be transferred to the other county and released of the obligations which they objected to.

Cr. Mayn moved an amendment that the secession of the’riding granted providing that they share of the bridge at the West Roa‘d and to Maukoro deviation.

Cr,. McLoughlin, seconding, said the council had made every effort to do its best for Tahuna. It would be only a fair thing for Tahuna to bear a fair cost of the Maukoro deviation and bridge. The machinery loan must also be adjusted, as Tahuna had used some of the machinery. THE DEPUTATION’S' VIEWS. Mr Jensen said Morrinsville was their centre, and they also went to Waitoa, therefore their interests were in that direction. They had nothing in corrimon with the lower part of the county. The loans would be a matter for the council to adjust. He presented a petition signed by a number of ratepayers in that riding. Mr Speedy said that for every 100 tons sent to the Piako district they sent ’only one ton .to the' lower end of the county. Mr Clothier, representnig the Hoe-O-Tainui district, said they were always using the Piako roads and the settlers along those roads expected his ratepayers to help tp pay for them. Mr Hedley said this matter had been considered , for some time, but the bridge scheme had quickened matters. AH Tahuna wanted was to facilitate matters. They were prepared to carry their just burdens. Trie Tahuna ratepayers quite recognised the difficulties of management of such, a young county as Hauraki plains with little means at their disposal. Mr Barnett said it had been stated that the lower portion of the county was not in common with Tahuna, but if the Piako River was straightened up it would help greatly. Cr. Parfitt: Where would your interests be if the Paeroa-Pokepo railway were through ? The Deputation: Still Morrinsville. The chairman said he !had recognised from the start that Tahuna should not be included in the Plains County. He had wondered why the Tahuna people had allowed themselves to be included. Tahuna’s interests were certainly in the Piako County. He did not think there would be any opposition from the council regarding the secession providing the ratepayers were prepared to bear their just burdens. He really believed the council’s suggestion was fair. Cr. Harris maintained that the portion of the riding which would receive a benefit from the Maukoro bridge and deviation should subscribe to the Council’s scheme making bridges county matters. Cr. Whitechurch objected to being included in the rating area for. the county bridges. The deputation’ then withdrew. CONFERENCE WITH PIAKO. Cr. Death said that any Tahuna ratepayers benefiting by any bridge in the county outside the Tahuna riding should contribute. Cr. Whitechurch was opposed to Tahuna paying for bridges in the lower portion of the riding. Cr. Death: Then I will oppose the secession of the Tabuna riding. Cr. Whitechurch: It .would be too big a burden for the Maukoro payers to pay for the bridges down here. We must have an adjustment made so that we pay for nothing in this county. We are willing tp pay a fair adjustment for what we have used. * Cr. Mayn : We should not be too hard on'these people for what we will get out of it. It will only mean putting a rate on a few Tahuna settlers. There are not many Tahuna settlers who would benefit by .the West bridge. Cr. Death : You admit that some of the Tahuna settlers will get a benefit, so why shouldn’t they help to pay for our bridges. Cr. Whitechur.ch : I ami willing that the two councils meet and make an equitable adjustment regarding these bridges and the Tahuna loan. Cr. Parfitt suggested conferring with the Piako County and abiding ,by the decision of the conference. Cr. Mayn suggested the exclusion of that portiop of tlle Patetoriga riding which is included in the Tahuna Roads Loan area from the adjustments. / Mr Walton said this could hot be done, except by an Act of Parliament. Cr. Mayn’s amendment was witli-

drawn. Cr. Mayn proposed that the w’&ole council form a committee to meet, the Piako County Council or a commdttee representing it in. connection rwith Tahuna’s secession, in an endeavour to make an equitable adjustment. Cr. McLoughlin seconded, and the motion was carriefl. It was decided to meet the Piako County representatives on Thursday at Tahuna.