THE Kawhia Settler FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1905. THIRDS.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 230, 13 October 1905, Page 2

THE Kawhia Settler FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1905. THIRDS.

i At a recent County Council meeting, the question of “ thirds ” was raised, j and it was resolved to apply to the Go* 1 vernment, not only for the amount J that has become due since the Council i was elected, but for thirds that became i I aue prior to its existence. The chairman is reported to have taken exception to, and made some severe remarks ‘ on, the expenditure c f these thirds by I Government, and spoke of such action as illegal. It does not appear to us that this statement can be maintained, or • as a matter of fact that the Council can look to receive any thirds that ac . crued prior to its bscoming a Council, if the amount of such thirds Las been expended locally. “ The Lind Act, 1802,” section 128, elause 2, is quite clear : Lu the County of Kawhia . . . and in the Counties where there in no County Council it shall be expended under the direction of the Minister, or any person whom he may appoint, far the objects directed The objects beiug “ For or towards the construction or maiuteuance of roods and bridges leading to or opening up tho land in any district disposed of u‘ der this Act .... for the i benefit of the selectors from whose land such money is derived.” I This gives the Minister a very wide discretionary power, so that should ; some selectors feel aggrieved at the way the thirds have hitherto been exi pended it will be difficult to prove “ illegality.” But be that as it may. | The matter of special interest to Kawhia settlers is that the Government is banding over to the Council the thirds for the past six month?, and that the revenue from this source is between jCGOO .£650 per annum. A suggestion is now afoot, that part or the whole of the revenue derived from thirds should bo set aside to pay Interest and provide sinking fund for a loan of £12,000, to bo raised during the next two years, and that the Go ver m- the approached to subsidize this with a £ for £ subsidy. if this scheme can be carried through it will i give th a Council the handsome sum of i £24,000 for expenditure on r nd? and j bridge-‘in this C unty dining the next ' | two or This is a bold! 1 a heme and one tha‘, however it may ! be regarded by the Government, will ! undoubtedly c ‘unnc.-id it.-i If to all b *re, { I more- piir icidnrly if the Government '

'• Lu th* County of Kawhia . . . and in the Counties whera there is no County Council, .... it shall be expended under the direction of the Minister, or any person whom he may appoint, for the objects directed The objects beiug

For or towards the construction or maiutonance of roods and bridges leading to or opening up th : land in any district disposed of u> der this Act .... for the benefit of the selectors from whose land such money is derived.” This gives the Minister r very wide discretionary power, so that should some selectors feel aggrieved at the way the thirds have hitherto been expended it will be difficult to prove “ illegality.” But be that as it may. The matter of speeiftl interest to Kawhia settlers is that the Government is banding over to the Council the thirds for the past six month?, and that the revenue from this source is between £ GOO .£650 per annum. A suggestion is now afoot, that part or the whole of tho revenue derived from thirds should bo set aside to pay interest and provide sinking fund for a loan of £12,000, to bo raised during the next two year?, and that the Go vs. in' t bo approached to subsidize this with a £ for £ subsidy. if this •cheme can be carried through it will give tho Council the handsome sum of

grant the subsidy. That a subsidy may fairly be atked for, and looked for, is patent to anyone acquainted with ths district. The O unty has all its main roads to metal (with the exception of a small piece at Te fiau a moa) and many of its side roads to form. These roads would not only give acees; to sections already occupied by settlers, but open up large areas of Goyern meat land and still larger areas of native land that must have these roads before they can be made available for profitable settlement. Further, it should be the uim of the Government and the County Council to make future settlement, close settlement : it is one of the mistakes of the past, bronghi about partly through want of roads, that the land around Kawhia was laid out in too large blocks. It was evidently the opinion ofthose responsible for the survey, that these large sections would be used for grazing purposes only. Nearly all the bush country in this County is suitable for dairying, but this industry is out of question without decent roads. Given good roads .the settlers would soon have ; factories started in various centres ; in the near future it will ba found that the chief hindrance to the starting of factories on the land already settled will be the large areas held by indivi duals. This will work itself right in time, but should serve as an objec lesson when laying out fresh country, whether Government or native, in this county or neighbourhood. Much might be said in favour of at ones raising money-for reading the County that naturally will suggest itself to our readers—the impetus it would ‘give to settlement without unduly raiding rate?, the advantages that come from the expenditure of money under a comprehensive and carefully studied scheme, the more permanent class of work that would be effected, e!c. But before it is profitable to discuss this part of the question we must find out first : Is the money available for a loan ? and secondly: If it is, will a £ for £ subsidy be granted ? When this is known wo will return to the subject. Meantime we trust the Council will use evary endeavour to put matters fully before the Government, and In such a way as to induce favourable replies.