COUNCIL RESUMED.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 39, 3 March 1877, Page 3

COUNCIL RESUMED.

The Council resumed its sittings at 7 p.m. Councillor Halcombe moved, That the terms on which Mr M'Lean proposes to undertake the legal business of the Council are satisfactory, and that his appointment as solicitor to the Council be confirmed.—Carried; \. \ Councillor Sanson moved, That .m,. the opinion of this Council -the Rating Act now m force is bad m principle ; inasmuch, as it taxes industry and bears unfairly on settlers with small holdings, and therefore tends to retard'the pi'ogress of the Colon) r. That the Chairman be requested to write to the chairmen of the various Councils and Road Boards m the provincial district of Wellington, asking their earnest cooperation m urging upon the Government during its next session the importance of liaviug said Act repealed; that so far as rural holdings are concerned the land be classified, and an acreage rate be substituted m lieu of the present system ; and that a circular be printed embodying this resolution. In bringing forward the present proposition, he felt that he would have the majority of the small farmers with him. The present method of rating was a tax on the industry of the country, and the special effect of the Act was that the smaller the holding the heavier was the taxation. He would bring forward an instance of a section of over 300 acres paying only half under the annual rental system to what it did under the acreage rate, whilst the small farms were paying proportionally more. He should like to see the system adopted of classifying the land which would enable valuers to strike a just rate. He would suggest that five acres and upwards should be rated by the acre and less holdings at an annual rental. Three classes of land he considered would be sufficient. If this system were adopted m the instance mentioned the land would average as second class. He considered that absentees who reaped the value of their neighbours improvements should be most heavily taxed. Councillor Snelson seconded the proposition. Councillor Gowee heartily supported the proposition as moved. Councillor Halcombe could not support the motion, as it was radically opposed to the system he had been advocating for years. He considered that though there were no doubt instances of injustice under the annual rentalsystem, yet they fell far short of those under the other system, and he thought that if the valuation were well done no great hardships need arise. To obtain anything like sufficient for the construction of roads under the acreage system so high a rate would have to be charged that purchasers would be literally shut out of the market. He could state instances that would show that those who used the roads most, such as carters or gentlemen with carriages, would under the acreage system pay the least. He thought m making a rate consideration should be used as to who were likely to make most use of the roads. As a proof that the annual rental had proved the best system he would state that. it was adopted throughout the old country. Councillor -McDonald, m a few words, supported the motion. Councillor Sanson, m replying, stated that he considered absentees the curse of the country, and he thought there were sufficient bond fide settlers to take up all the land that was likely to be opened up for the present. Unimproved lands contributed nothing to the revenue, but on the contrary the improved lands were the bone and sinew of the country; and he considered that, if an advantage was to be derived, the small holders should have the benefit. Councillor Snelson would submit to the notice of the Council clauses 58 and 60 of the Counties Act. In doing so, he would state that it was out of no spirit of hostility to any councillor present, but to put the Council right with respect to the outside public. The reading of these clauses would seem to intimate that no councillor could be elected for Horowhenua. He thought it right that Councillor McDonald should satisfy himself as to his position, as doubts had already been bruited m the public Press. For himself, he would not like to exercise his vote if there existed any such doubt as to the right of his election. The Chaieman ruled that it was not a subject for the Council to take up. Councillor Snelson moved, That this Council hold its future sittings on Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m. —Carried. Councillor Liddell moved, That the Chairman be instructed to make enquiries from the District Engineer, J. T. Stewart, Esq., m reference to the contract existing for keeping m repair the main road to the beach from the Foxton ferry, and at what date the present contract ceases. —Carried. Councillor Halcombe moved, That the terms proposed by the Manager of the Bank of Australasia, with reference to the County account, are satisfactory, but that the Chairman be requested to ascertain what interest the Bank will allow on the daily balance. —Carried. A discussion took place as regards the taking over the special works mentioned m a memo, from Mr Barton, and roads. Councillor Halcombe moved, That this Council declines to carry out the special works commenced by the Government, referred to m the letter from the Minister of Public Works of 13th February, 1877 ; and would point out to the Government that the following portions of the main road hitherto maintained by the Colonial Government do not form part of any County road —viz., that portion between the Carnarvon junction and Palnicrslon station, and

that between the Lower Gorge Ferry and the boundary of the County. — Carried. Councillor Sanson moved, That the Government be urged to collect the dog tax throughout the County with the least possible delay. — Carried. . Councillor Snelson moved. That the Chairman be requested to write to the Minister for Public Works, asking that ~tsie unexplained balance of Provincial vote of £1250 be expended upon the Karere and Palmerston road line. — Carried. : Councillor Macakthur moved, That the resolution or order of the Council at its last meeting, taking over certain roads infthe County be publicly gazetted and notified as required by the clause 88 of the Public Works Act. Carried. Councillor Snelson moved, That the road from the south bank of the Manawatu river to Foxton and to the Carnarvon junction, and from the station at Palmerston to the Lower Ferry of the Manawatu Gorge be taken over by the County, and be gazetted with the other lines. Carried. Councillor Macarthur moved, That the next sitting of the Council be on Wednesday, March 21st, at 1 p.m. — Carried..