The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, November 7, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1066, 7 November 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, November 7, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The County elections take place to-morrow. This district is interested in the election of a representative for the Awahou Riding and Whirokino sub-division of the Manawatu County Council. The number of electors on the roll total less than one hundred and a percentage of these are absentees. Yet, the riding is a very important one, representing thousands of pounds worth of property, important arterial roads and the Shannou-Moutoa and Whirokino bridges. The overflowing of the Manawatu river at the Moutoa end has been a source of worry to the representative of the riding, and large sums of money expended on metalling in the locality have time and again been washed away. A short time ago the Council authorised the expenditure of (,£35 of which was subscribed by two adjoining property owners) for the erection of stop-banks which has checked the flood waters to a great extent. Private owners have also expended sums of money on protective works, and this, backed up by the Drainage Board’s scheme is fast checking and confining the flood waters to within reasonable limits. The formation of the Drainage Board has, to a large extent, minimised the Council’s responsibilities in this connection, and the two bodies are working harmoniously in the interests of.

the settlers in this district. Both candidates who are seeking election to the Council are large property owners, with a practical knowledge of the requirements of the district. Mr Barber, the sitting member, was one of the prime movers in establisiug the Drainage Board and one of its first members. He has represented the ratepayers on the Council for a period ol six years, and during that time has been responsible for the carrying out of important works, among which may be mentioned the regrading and metalling of Robinson’s Hill, re-grading, metalling, tascining and fencing portion of No. i and 6 Robinson’s corner, erectiou of stop-bank at Shannon Ferry, erection of roadman’s cottage at Moutoa, new bridge over the Government drain, which was further lengthened by the Drainage Board, succeeded in obtaiuing a grant to assist Drainage Board to erect stop-bank near Burr’s and Smith's on the Moutoa Road and Duck Creek, was keenly active in urging upon the Council the forming and metalling of the Beach Road, the forming and metalling of that portion of the Palmerston-F'oxtou Road which junctions with the Sanson-Foxton Road at Sorensen’s corner and other minor works, and according to the overseer the roads in this riding are now in a better state than they have ever been previously. Under these circumstances, Mr Barber’s claims to a further term of office should inspire him with confidence as to the result.

Mr W. S. Carter, like Mr Mr Barber, is a successful farmer and a man of great energy. At present he is a member ot the Foxton Borough Council and Moutoa Drainage Board, and takes a lively interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the district. His address to the ratepayers published in previous issues, we presume, has been read and assimilated by those interested. Mr Carter claims that, if elected, if he cannot improve the roads without increasing the rates, he will tender his resignation. He objects that the work at present being done could be effected tor a tenth of the cost if horses and proper implements were employed. He also states that much of the work done on the roads in the riding should have cost the ratepayers about half of what has been paid. Mr Carter says he has no “axe to grind” his only object is to safeguard the interests of the ratepayers. The election should stimulate a greater interest in county matters and as both candidates are wellknown to the ratepayers a keen contest should result. The polling booth on the Moutoa Road is at the cottage on the Foxton side of Mrs Austin’s residence, and at Mr Sorenson’s store Himatangi.

The rapid rise in the values of Native lands which do not pay rates or taxes was the subject of pointed reference in the speech with which Mr B. Hewett, an Independent candidate, opened his campaign in the Ranglau district. He remarked that in 1904 the Native Minister appeared to realise that it was unfair that the Maoris should not contribute towards the cost of improved communication to their lauds, and got an Act passed to enable local bodies to collect rates ; but before they could enforce a judgment they had to get the consent ol the Native Minister. He had never yet heard of a case where this consent was forthcoming ; the whole thing was a farce. He did not blame the Maoris for not paying rates, as Europeans would not pay them either unless compelled to do so. He did not think it necessary to turn the Native Minister out it he would reform ; but there did not appear to be much chance that he ever would. The settlement of Native Bauds in this district is of the utmost importance to Foxton and Levin. In the dying hours of the session just closed the Hon. Mr Ngata introduced an amendment to the Native Bauds Settlement Act prohibiting the aggregation of Native leasehold lauds. Mr F'ield’s name appears on the division list among those who voted agauisi this amendment. Will Mr Field iu his address on Thursday night explain the amendment and give his reasons for opposing it ?