Manamatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1880. THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY.

Manawatu Herald, 15 June 1880, Page 2

Manamatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1880. THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY.

Tho desirability of a division of the County of Manawatu has for some time past forced itself upon public attention. It is useless to deny the palpable fact that the two sections of the district— North and South — do not and cannot pull together. A forcible illustration of this is seen in the rate recently struck by the County Council. The Ridings of Taonui, Manchester, and Kiwitea are bush country, and to them heavy rates are, as the County .Chairman has repeatedly pointed out, "a -good investment," provided the money is spent in forming and metalling roads. They accordingly were in favour of a shilling rate. Not so the other Eidings, for being open .country the land has been settled many years, and as a consequence will not in all probability increase very much in value. We except from these remarks the Otaki Riding, which, however, comprises almost exclusively native land; For the reasons stated the four Southern Ridings were unanimously in favour of a sixpenny .rate. A ■struggle took place in the County Council, and by a majority of one the heavier rate was carried. Had the opposite course been adopted, no doubt the northern Ridings would have complained of the South retarding their progress ; whilst the whole of the Southern settlers have good ground of complaint that they are compelled .to pay in extremely bud times double the rates they consider uiecessaiy to carry on the business for the year in their district. The same collision of interests will undoubtedly occur in the future at each successive striking of the rate. Under the new proposals of the Go-

vernment, which are almost certain to be accepted by Parliament, it is proposed to give Counties the power to strike a rate of 2s in the £. The representatives of the Northern Hidings are almost certain to attempt to levy the heaviest rate possible, and it is equally certain that they would again succeed in obtaining the vote of the present representative for Horowhenua^ even if it was for a rate of 5s in the £. Such being the case it is certainly advisable to let the northern Eidings rate themselves. This can only be done by separation, which we strenuously advocate. Briefly, we may s^ate the course we think should Le taken. ThoJßidingspf Kawakawa, Oroua, Awahou aticT Horowhenua should be formed into an independant . J3QJiaty^and.the Highways Boards in the districts named should be merged into the County, which would be the only governing body, except the ■ Local Board". Under the plan suggested, the affairs of the four southern Eidings could be more economically and successfully administered. In a future issue we will indicate the course to be pursued iv obtaining, separation.