MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 399, 18 June 1908, Page 3

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Meeting o| Ratepayers.

Loan Proposals held over.

A meeting of ratepayers of the Moutoa Drainage district was held in the Mayor’s room at the Council chambeis last evening to consider the following proposal; That lor the purpose of constructing an overflow channel fioin the Kavikari drain to the Diagonal drain, thence to the (iovernme.it drain, and along that drain to the Manawatn Kivcr, cm ting connecting drains. erecting Hood gates, at the ends ot (he Diagonal and Government drains, and doing all other work in connection tin rewith. a sum of six thousand pounds he borrowed under the “ Local bmlu s Loans Act, ujoi,” for a period of forty-one years, and that Ihe security tor the re-payment of such loan he a special late ol 1 even-sixteenths ot a penny in the £ on the capital value of all properties appearing on the valuation roll of the Moutoa Dramago District. Such rate to be an annual recurring rale during the currency of dm loan. And that the cost of raising the loan, the engineering expenses, and the first, year’s interest he paid out of the said loan.

There were present, Messrs B. G- Gower (chairman), W, Barber, Hammond, F. Easton (members of the Board), and the following ratepayers : —Messrs Geo. Barber, Burr, R. Edwards (acting for Mrs Edwards). A Edwards, R. Wall, W. Carter, Dudson, Smith, I). Purcell, and Jagger. The Chairman stated that a special rating area had been decided on as follows ; —The special rating area comprises all those lands within the boundary of the district, commencing at Manawatu River at section 421, and continuing along the boundary to its junction with the main Foxton to Shannon road, excluding therefrom parts of sections 251, 25S and sab-sections 43, 44, 45 an: * 47Thence to the Shannon Ferry, and from the Shannon Ferry along the Manawatu River to the point of starting. The lands excluded irom the special rating area are those on the upper side of the main road occupied by Dr. Wall, John Burr, Mrs Edwards, J. B. Smith, W. Carter and Jaggar. It would be noticed, said the Chairman, that certain lands within the drainage district had been excluded from the proposed rating area. The total area in the drainage district was n,qo2 acres, the capital value of which was The special rating area proposed by the Board excluding certain lands, gave a capital valuation of A rate of y-i6d in the £ over this special area would be sufficient to meet a loan of /6000, and an additional increase of 10 percent only. /3 000 could be borrowed the first year. The Board had endeavoured to work the rate out fairly, and for this reason it was decided not to classify the land, but to eliminate the homesteads, and strike one rate over the special area. A good deal of the land towards Shannon was heavily rated. Classification of the land would prove very unsatisfactory. He regretted that the roll for the special rating area had not come to hand from the department. The Chairman stated that the Board had the power under the Act, to sign for a loan, where the number of ratepayers in a district was less than one hundred. Mr R. Edwards said that for the Board to attempt to raise a loan without classification was grossly unjust, and he said the Board would have no chance of carrying a loan without classification. He believed that fair play was bonny play, and that ratepayers should pay pro rata. Why ask all the ratepayers to pay a rate of 7-x6ths of a penny in the /.if certain of them were not going to benefit proportionately ? He warned the Board not to attempt to raise a loan without classification, otherwise there would be trouble. A desultory discussion and various arguments took place between the Chairman and Mr Edwards in reference to the various interpretations of the Act bearing on the loan proposals. Mr Carter asked whether the loan proposed to be raised would be sufficient to carry out the proposed work outlined in the scheme. The overflow-channel was not worth 2d to some of the settlers. He would like to see a plan showing what was proposed to be undertaken out of loan, in order that each may judge the benefits to be derived. The Chairman said that under the scheme, each settler would receive an efficient and satisfactory outlet.

Mr George Barber said the fact of the roll not having arrived, made the position very indefinite. He suggested adjourning the meeting until the roll arrived.

The Chairman said the Board had acted on the suggestion of the Government auditor, in the action they had taken. This officer was thoroughly acquainted with the methods adopted in similar circumstances by other boards. Mr Ldwards said he would not accept an official’s opinion as such individuals did not enter into the spirit of the matter to such an extent as those directly interested and practically they knew nothing about it.

The Chairman did not agree with Mr Edwards. Mr Carter again urged that the ratepayers should have something more definite before them. Mr Edwards isaid it was wrong to tax people equally, where they do not share equal benefits. It was not reasonable. Classification was the most equitable system, If this .was done the rate-

payers would take a liberal view of the loan proposals. The present proposals were most unbusinesslike and it was a serious matter to tie the ratepayers down to ay-i6 of a penny rate for 40 years when some of them didn’t want it. He only took a leasonable view of the matter and they were not all receiving a benefit alike. He suggested that some person should be appointed by the Board to make the classification. and then goon with the loan.

The Chairman showed by figures how impossible it would be to rate on the basis suggested by Mr Edwards. He stated further that Mr Edwards’ arguments were entirely misleading. Mr W. K. Barber said the drainage scheme when carried out would be beneficial to every settler in tbe Moutoa district.

After further discussion Mr Carter moved and Mr Edwards seconded that the meeting adjourn until the roll is available, and a plan showing the connecting drains be submitted. —Carried. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.