BACKBLOCKS' ASSOCIATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 661, 18 April 1914, Page 5

BACKBLOCKS' ASSOCIATION.

LOCAL BODIES' CONFERENCE. At the conference of the local bodies affiliated to the Backbloelui' A relation, held at Taumarunui on Tuesday last the following business in uddition to that already publiahocl \va;-i trunsacted:—■

Issuing of Authorities.The remit standing in the name or the Awakino County Council urging upon the Government tho necessity of instiing the authorities to expend grants and subsidies as soon as possible after the passing of the Public Works Estimates waa diacussiul.

Mr Leech, in supporting tho remit, pointed out the loss occasioned by the delay in being unable to have work jjtatted ub early as possible in tho season. If it was a question of tho Government not wishing to pay out the money until ut'ter tho end of March the difficulty could be met by the plans being passed by tho Government and permission given to the local bodies to proceed with the work. The delay was a serious matter for the settlerH, and it would pay them much bettor to get the money temporarily from the bank, and pay interest on it. The Government stated that authority would be issued in respect to urgent works, but he pointed out: that all the works in new districts were Urgent. The delay in getting the works started was one of tha things to which tho attention of tho conference should ba directed with a view to obtaining a remedy.—The remit was carried unanimously. Main Arterial Roads.—Tho remit by the Awakino County Council that tha Government bo asked to provide tho Stute'H share of making and maintaining all main roada in the district by establishing a system of subsidies to local bodies on the basis of £2 for £1 on all loan moneys raised for the isole purpose of expenditure on main road i was moved by Mr Leech. Speaking in nupport of the remit Mr Leech said lie was in favour of tho settlor* contributing towards the main roads, but held that substantial aasitanca should bo given by the State. If the construction and maintenance of the main roadu was taken over by the Government tho advantage to the settlers living on those roads would he enormous and some return for the hunofit should be made. On the other hand it was not equitable that the settlors should undertake the whole responsibility. A reasonable adjustment should be made and ho considered the proposal contained in tho remit was /air.—The remit was carriul.

Roading Native I,amis. —When tho question of roading native landn had been discussed for a time a committee consisting of the chairman, and MeaBrs Wackrow, Sandiaun, and Boddy was appointed 1.0 go into the matter of framing a resolution, and the following resolution, opposed by Mr Boddy, wa9 carried :--"That this conference urge upon tha Government the necessity of dealing with tho question of roading in tho King Country, more particulaly in the ;aan of native landa, whether occupied r.r unoccupied, the matter lining of considerable importance and seriously hampering tha progress of the various counties. Also that wc ollVr an a suggestion to overcome the difficulty thut nil native lands, whether partitioned or otherwise, be loaded to defray the cost of roading that partialis' district, and that in the case of individualised land the Government pay to the local body the amount of such loading which shall be from time to time a charge against that land" Handing Over Uoads.- -The remit of tho Kaitieko County Council to tho effect thnt reasonable notice should b9 given by the Government to local bodies before handing over roads to tha local hodies was carried. Speaking in support of the remit, , Mr Ford said in many cases roads in | tho control of the Government nad been formal for a long time and were | in bad repair when handed over. If notice were given concerning tho handing over the local bodies would have the opportunity of getting the roads placed in proper order before boing taken over. Special Road Districts. —lha following remit, forwarded by the Kaitieko County Council, was carried:— "That tho powers provided under section nt) of "Tho Land Amendment Act 1913," llil amended to provide also'that the revenue receivable within the tipoeial roading districts may be hypothecated for a delmitn p«fiod to provide interest and sinking fund on loans which the local bidies may borrow to construct the roads as defined under the bafoni-inor.tioned section of tho Act." County Boundaries.—-The following remit proposed by the Awakino County Council was carried :-"That the Government bo appealed to to make an equitnMn adjustment of boundaries of existing counties With tho object of promoting community of interest and improving tho condition of taxpayers generally." Te Kuiti-Taranuki Koad. —ihe matter of the main road from T6 Kuiti to Taranaki was discussed and the following resolution proposed by Mr Leech and seconded by Mr San diflon, Was carried:— "That this conference respectfully urges the completion of the Te Kuiti-Taranaki road and tho erection of the Mokau river bridge and also a safe traffic road over Mount Messenger "

Wangauui Hiver llridge.—-The Taumarumii Borough Council moved that the conference urge upon the Government the advhtahility of erecting a trallic bridge over the Wanganui river at Taumaimmi adjoining; the present railway bridge. Mr Montyii Joiien auggeuted that the additional recommendation be made that the (Jovorimient be urged to complete that portion of the AueklandWollington road between To Kuiti and Poro o - tarao. -Tho addition was agreed to, and tho motion carried Liquor Trall'ic —lt was decided to hold a meeting at To Kuiti on June 4th to discuss tho liquor question, the

representation from each local body to be limited to one delegate. The secretary was instructed to notify each local body in order that th 9 matter could ba discussed by each local body prior to the meeting of the association. Police Supervision. A remit by the Manunui I'"wn Board urging the Government to provide more police uperviaion for rising townships and

populous districts in the King Coun-

try was moved by Mr Monfries. The mover pointed out that pilfering wont on at flag stations, where no official waa in charge and settlers often suffered loss in consequence.— The remit was carrried.

Roads Through Native Lands.—On tho motion of Messrs Sandison and Hay ward it waa affirmed that the conference was of opinion that until some definite scheme of roading has been arrived at as between local bodies and the Government departments,the local bodies in making application for the survey of roads were in a position to decide as to whether a road waa suitable or otherwise, and that the secretary be instructed to write to the Department of Lands and Surveys to that effect.

Urging of Recommendations. —lt was decided that the secretary write to tho Ministers urging the remits carried at the conference, and also send copies of the recommendations to each member of Parliament representing the various counties affected.

Election of officers. —On the motion of Messrs Sandels and Ryan, Mr A. Scholes was re-elect«d president for tho ensuing term, and on the motion of Messrs Ryan and Boddy, Mr P. Mora waa re-elected secretary. Eulogistic reference was made by the delegates to the work dono by the president and secretary on behalf of the Association.

Registration.—lt was resolved that tho Association be duly registered, and that the president, secretary, and Mayor of To Kuiti ba a committee to draft a set of rules and submit saraa to each affiliated local body for approval or otherwise. Next Meeting.—Mr Sandals, Clifton County, said he had been asked by his county to invite the members to hold the next conference at Waitara. —A number of delegates said that, while appreciating the invitation,they thought the distance too far for the northern members at present. It was decided to hold the next meeting at Te Kuiti, the fixing of the date to ba left to the president. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Taumarunui Borough Council and to tha president. At tho conclusion of the conference Mr Wackrow, Mayor of Taumarunui, entertained the delegates at dinner at Meredith House, after which a smoke concert was held in the Borough Council Chambers.

Tha toaat of "The King" having been duly honoured, the Mayor proposed "The Backblocks' Association" in neat speech, expressing his pleasure at the manner in which the work of the conference had Doen carried out. Ho coupled the names of Me3srs Seholes and Leech with the toast. Mr Seholes, Waitomo, complimented Awakino—the youngest county—on their virility and their representative on his contribution to the work of the conferene. Remits should be circulated a month before meeting, and the Government should placa more confidence in local bodies who were better able to grasp and deal with the many knotty problems arising than the Government were. Councillors might often feel discouraged, but still fought on for imoroved conditions. Mr Leech, Awakino, said meetings such as these would assist councils to win out on the important roading questiion. Through want of co operation in the past much money and sweat had been wanted. He thanked the Mayor for his hospitality, which he much appreciated, and congratulated him on the wonderful progress Tumarunui had made.

Mr Mostyn Jones, in proposing "The Government," said their position was difficult, as the want of money hamnered thorn greatly at times. Hu deplored the frequency of elections, and considered every Government wag entitled to respect. —Mr Grice, replying, stated all Governments made mistakes, and all were entitled to some credit. Elections every three years were disturbing, and were the cause of much a political rancour, and even ill-feeling, but any Government should recognise that main arterial roads were entitled to greater consid oration in new districts, and should receive a larger subsidy. Mr R. Morrison, in proposing "The Farmers' Interests," said that one time much-despised pumice land, by the aid of scientific farming, had already shown they ware capable of yielding splendid returns when properly treated and with little effort. —■ Mr Berry, Waitomo, in reply, said it was recognised bad roads ware their greatest drawback. With regard to the soil, the prospects were such as were not even dreamed of now the fact of root crops being so prolific settled the carrying capacity of the land beyond all question.—Mr Boddy, Awakino, spoke warmly of the pioneer who had made it nosssible for this great country to be opened up. He had farmed in several parts of the North Island, and he was satisfied it was quite equal to any. Ho considered that the ability to grow root crops Would eventually make it one of the foremost stock-raising portions of th" Dominion. Mr Scholes, Waitomo, proposed "The Borough Council," and eulogised them for the work already accomplished. He referred to the rivalry he said existed between Taumarunui and Te Kuiti, and thought it was commendable as an incentive to progress. Care should he exercised bo as not to go too quickly—Mr Wackrow thanked Mr Scholes, and briefly reviewed the progress made. He said the council deserved credit for the work done. Referring to the question of rivalry, he hoped both Te Kuiti and Taumarunui would derive great benefits from the progressive works each had under-taken.—-Mr Ryan said the earnestness

and enthusiasm displayed at the conference was a most hopefui sign, and councils generally were composed vx practical men, who were justly proud of their work.

Mr Laird proposed "Local Bodies," ! which ho raid were composed of men who gave ungrudgingly of their time and ability for the betterment of the whole, and in consequer.ee deserved tha grateful thanks) of (hepublic—Mr Sandsls, Clifton, said councillors generally got more kicks than half-pence, but they kept right and did good worrk.— Mr Sandison, Ohura, said neither To Kuiti or Taumarunui had dono wrong in their progressive public works policy. Conferences w~re invaluable to councillors, and tha counties would receive the benefit of their deliberations. A single county could not do much, but united they could bring pressure to bear on either t-e Government or their members. Mr Wackrow's health was propssed by Mr Mostyn Jones, in xelicitous terms, who on behalf of all the delegates, expressed their appreciation of his hospitality. "Councils' Staffs" was proposed hy Mr Ryan, who congratulated Waitomo on having so capable an officer as Mr Mora, and said all were acquainted with the abilities of Taumarunui's town clerk, Mr Slattery, who was a most useful officer. —Messrs Mora and Slattery briefly responded. The toast of "The Press," by Mr Moorhouse, concluded the proceedings.