THE ARAHURA ROAD BOARD.

Kumara Times, Issue 1136, 20 May 1880, Page 2

THE ARAHURA ROAD BOARD.

[WEST COAST TIMES.] A deputation of members of the hara Road Aard consisting of Messrs Alex. Foldi (Chairman of the Board) and Edwin Blake, bad • an interview with members of the County Council

last, inreference to merging tbeW ird. The, members of. the Cou qty Council present were—The Chairman, Messrs Seddon, Jack, M'Goldrick and Hirter, (all of whom were at the Chambers in order to attend a meeting of the Ferries Committee). Mr Blake said the deputation wished to ascertain-the views of the Council on a proposal he was about to make to the Councillors present, with a view of having the matter dealth with at the next meeting of the Council. He wished to ascertain the maximum amount the Council would give towards obtaining a settlement of the accounts, with the understanding that the merging of the Boat'd would take place. His idea was to offer the creditors 12s 6d or 16s, in the £; to obtain say £6OO or £550 from the Council towards the payment of that composition, and to pay the remainder from the rate for the current year, and from JBIOO in hand. If this arrangement was agreed to, this vexed question would be at once and finally covered up and buried.. The debts were .£llOO, so that the sums he had mentioned would pay the composition, and in this way the matter so long a grievance, and the cause of so much discord and strife in the district, would be completely disposed of. The proposition was made in the interests of concord and peace; they did not wish this constant strife to.continue; and it was unpleasant to live, in a community subject to such unceasing contention as had been the case for some years now, in the Arahura district, over this question. The fact was also, that they were already too much governed, and if the proposition met with the approval •of the Council, not only the Arahura Road Board, but probably the Borough ■of Kumara would be merged, and thus twoSuperfluoos and onnecessary governing bodies would be disposed of. Of course the creditors could refuse to accept the composition, but in that case the onus.would be upon them, and the pleasant prospect would be before them, of having to wait six or seven yean tor their.- money— for it would take as long as that for the Board tq pay those debts, from its own resources. He had tto doubt, however,- that the . creditors would also assist in- bringing matters to an amicable termination. It was to their own, interest to do so, and if they wwte .wise they would meet the proposal in a friendly spirit.. He hopidu the Council; would entertain Ihe.matter favorably,, and so make an ,’end- of a business that had been the cause years of! strife and a great dedl'of bitterriesmand vexation. - Mr ■f^oldi 1 supported -Mr Blake’s proposition. The) members of;the. Board were hcW men; they were desiropsof having the matter finally determined,; and the present time: instances were favorable to settlement. Mr Hirter said that the matter had mow assumed a. more favorable turn than ever it did, and he felt inclined to accept the terms proposed. Messrs Jack and M'Goldrick spoke to the same effect. Mr Jack asked Mr Seddon whether he would support a County rate in boroughs! Mr Seddon said he would do so. The County Chairman said the proposal would receive every consideration at the next meeting of the Council, and The deputation, after having thanked the members present, withdrew.