MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 415, 25 July 1908, Page 3

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Meeting of Ratepayers.

The adjourned meeting of ratepayers of the special rating area of the Moutoa Drainage Board district, over which it is proposed to strike a rate tc cover interest and sinking fund for a loan of ,£6,000, was held in the Mayor’s room at the Borough Council Chambers last evening. Present: Messrs B. G. Gower (chairman), Hammond, F. Easton, W. Barber, J. Symons (trustees), and the following ratepayers : Messrs T. Nye, O , J., and C. Robinson, Geo. Baib.r, D. Purcell, W. Carter, J. Hudson, D. Webb, Pigott, and Mr R. Edwards (representing Mrs Edwards, senr,), and Mr Smith, junr., (representing his father). Before commencing, the Chairman remarked that he would take exception to any persons other than ratepayers taking part in the meeting. Mr Edwards, who represented his mother at the last meeting, had been allowed to enter into a discussion, but the Chairman had granted him that privilege under protest. Since that meeting Mr Edwards had seen fit to publish a letter in the local newspaper abusing the trustees. He desired to make it clear to Mr Edwards that he would not be allowed to take part in the meeting. Mr Edwards said the Chairman’s action was on a par with Russian law. What he did previously was to criticise the action of the Board in a fair and usual way.

The Chairman: You have no legal right here. Mr Edwards contended that this was an adjourned meeting of the one he previously attended. He had the necessary authority to be present and he had the right to take part in the meeting. He represented his mother, whose age prevented her attendance, and his people had been settlers of longer standing in the district than had the Chairman’s. He contended that his rights were being outraged and he intended to remain. He again referred to the Chairman’s action as unreasonable and unjust. He was present to discuss matters and criticise and perhaps criticise keenly. _lf the Chairman persisted in his action he (the Chairman) would be made to look ridiculous in the eyes of the public. The Chairman; You have had your say, Mr Edwards, and if you persist to interrupt I shall have you removed from the meeting. Mr Edwards defied the Chairman’s threat.

Mr Smith junr., then asked to have the authority, for his presence representing his father, read out, which request was acceded to, the Chairman intimating however, that that authority gave Mr Smith no legal right to enter into the proceedings of the meeting. Mr Smith: Is it legal for me to vote ? The Chairman : No.

The minutes of the adjourned meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman said that since the adjourned meeting, the trustees had inspected the top end of the district, and had taken a good deal of trouble to mark the plan showing drain connections, etc. The roll had also been received, and was on the table for inspection. Ratepayers then examined and criticised the plan, showing the scheme to be undertaken. Mr Smith said his father’s property would not benefit, because they would not be able to get the fall to connect. It was pointed out that the main drain would be taken to Mr Smith’s boundary, Mr Carter thought the levels should be shown on the plan. TheChaiiman said that at the original meeting, a resolution was carried to the effect that each settler would get “a proper and efficient outlet.” This the trustees intended to see was given effect to.

Mr Carter : What constitutes a proper and sufficient outlet? the money allocated for this purpose may not be sufficient to carry out the work. We shall be compelled to pay rates, and we should have some assurance of a return.

The Chairman : has been allocated for drains, and the trustees will see that each settler gets a proper and efficient outlet. Mr Carter said the allocation of the was not sufficiently definite and he thought the Trustees should have shown the amount to be expended on each outlet. Suppose the money was not sufficient? The Chairman ; Then we will have to spend more. To give the details asked by Mr Carter would mean extra engineering expense and the Trustees were desirous of curtailing the Board’s funds as much as possible. Mr Easton said the first work of importance was deepening the main drain and main outlet and then attending to the outlets and connecting drains. Mr Edwards said the work should have been scheduled and the money allocated. Extra expense in this connection would have been warranted. The Chairman said the Board was formed on the understanding that these drains would be done.

Mr Hudson; What good is the scheme going to do me ? A voice : It will give you a quicker mrtlet. Mr Edwards said the lands should have been classified.

The resolution approving of the plan was then put and carried without a dissentient vote.

Mr Symons thought that was ample for connecting drains. Mr Carter: It might be, providing you don’t drop on any snags. A voice: You strike them everywhere. (Laughter). Mr Carter said some settlers may

h.ive to wait years lefore their connections are made, provided the ,£SOO allocated is not sufficient, but if a certain sura was set down for each connection then it would be guaranteed.

Mr Easton said each settler wou’d benefit immediately the big drain was attended to. After further discussion the following resolution was moved. Proposed by Mr W. Barber, seconded by Mr Hammond :—That this meeting approves of its Board of Trustees proposal to raise a loan of six thousand pounds under the “Local Bodies Loans Act 1901 ” and its amendments. Such loan to be for a period of forty-one years, and that the security for the repayment of such loan be a special rate of seven-sixteenths of a penny in the pound, (capital value) on all properties appearing in the valuation roll of the Moutoa drainage district within the special rating area comprising all those lands within the boundary of the said district, commencing at the Manawatu River at section 421, and continuing along the boundary to its junction with the main Foxton to Shannon road including therefrom parts of sections 251, 258 sub sections 43, 44, 45, and 47, thence to the Shannon ferry, and from the Shannon ferry along the Manawatu River, to point of starting. The Chairman invited discussion, and Mr Edwards said he intended to move an admendment. —The Chairman again warned Mr Edwards not to interrupt. Mr Edwards objected to the stand taken by the Chairman. He desired to move an amendment in a formal way, and the Chairman could then rule him out of order. He proposed that, owing to the levels and allocations not being submitted in proper form, the resolution be not carried.

After waiting for a few minutes, and there being no seconder, Mr Edwards suggested that the resolution be put. The resolution was put and carried by all ratepa3 f ers present. The petition authorising the loan was then signed by those present, and the meeting terminated.