RATES ON MINING HUTS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1988, 12 January 1883, Page 2

RATES ON MINING HUTS.

At the ordinary meeting of the Westland County Council, held at Hokitika on Wednesday last, the West Coast Times reports a discussion on the above question as follows :

Mr Dungan moved, " That the rate collectors receive instructions to refrain from collecting rates from mining huts and tenements." Miners paid a heavy rate for gold duty, amounting to £SOOO a year in Westland. Miners complained of the rate, small as it was, and did not like the manner in which it had been collected. In some parts of the county the rate was paid, and in other parts it was not paid. The revenue to come from the Crown lands rating could he set off against the rates on miners, and the Council could afford to be generous and let the miners go free. On the whole it ought to remain an instruction to the Chairman that the rate collector be authorised to refrain from collecting the £2OO or £3OO a year which miners paid now. At the suggestion of the Chairman the mover amended his motion by adding the words after "tenements" in the motion, " for the year 1883." The Cairman seconded.

Mr Rose opposed the motion. When Mr Dungan was in office as Chairman, he advanced money to summon the miners of Kanieri. The Council wanted funds, and the rate was the most legitimate revenue the Council had. There was no particular objection to the rate in Kanieri. Mr Jack said, without a doubt, if Mr Dungan's motion were carried, it would place a good argument in the hands of those who objected to reduce the gold dnty. He opposed the motion because he was a friend of the miners. He would like to see the motion withdrawn. Except in cases of need the rate must be collected. Therefore it would be better for Mr Dungan to withdraw. Mr dimming said one strong reason why he opposed the motion was that unless they paid the rates the miners would not like to ask the Council for tracks. Mr Hirter said the miners had never asked for a remission of this rate. Why, the whole tax was not a penny per week. Mr Dungan was glad the discussion had taken place. . There was a strong feeling against this rate by the miners. Mr Jack—Everyone has a strong feeling against taxes.

Mr Dungan said, with regard to what Mr Rose alleged, the persons summoned were not miners at all. He still held the opinion that the miners would be glad of the concession. The Chairman ruled that the motion could not be put, as it would be inoperative if carried, being against the spirit of the Act. The solicitor's opinion to that effect was read. Motion ruled out of order accordingly.