FOXTON.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 95, 15 September 1877, Page 2

FOXTON.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Mr Thynne— Would you vote for the subsidy for the branch railway ? Dr Rockstrow —Any subsidy out of the County Fund I would oppose. It would be a great injustice to tax those who would not receive any benefit from the line. Let the people who benefit by the line guarantee the other 2 per cent. Mr Loudon said: Mr Chairman and Gentlemen—You have heard the remarks of the previous speaker regarding the County and its affairs. You shall now hear mine. You have doubtless all seen my advertisement in the "Manawatu Times," expressing my intention to come forward for election. I do so at the request of several friends and electors; not merely for the honor becoming a County Councillor, but r the furtherance of your interests and my own. Regarding the branch railway from Sandon to Foxton, I differ from the last speaker materially. I hold that it is a necessary work, and when completed will open up a large and wealthy settlement. It will enable settlers to send their produce to the best markets at a cheap rate. It will be a feeder to Foxton, and greatly increase its exports and imports and afford profitable employment to those engaged in its construction, who may afterwards become settlers. It will afford such facilities to settlers ;and storekeepers, in the export of wool and other produce, and the import of general merchandise that it will be largely and profitably used by them. It will do Foxton good ; the trade of this port will be so much increased that we must have a port of entry, and a harbour board, with powers equal to our wants. It is said the cost of the railway will be about £24,000. It is now about two years since I took a lively interest in this railway, and made a rough estimate of its cost ; and that estimate, alhough hurriedly prepared, was not so far out. I put the cost at about £22,000 —professional men put it at £24,000. Mr Campbell, of Douglas & Co., I believe has agreed to find the money necessary for its construction, subject to being paid a fair proportion of the interest on the total amount ; what that proportion is I am not quite sure. I am not in favor of taxing the county generally for such work. l am in favor of direct taxation, when the railway confers a direct benefit, such as to those whose lands adjoin the railway on both sides, between here and Sandon. l am sure the land will be increased in value by the railway running through it, and there ought to contribute something toward its cost. I also think that as the road is at present a county road, and must be maintained by the County that at least two-thirds of the money necessary to keep the road in repair, should be handed over towards payment of interest of the money expended in making the railway. I think so because the railway wll save two-thirds of the wear and tear of the roads. I may say, however, that the power is is not in the hands of the Council, but in the hands of the ratepayers themselves. I shall now read for you Clauses 108 and 109—also, 139 and 144, of the Counties Act, which show clearly that the power is in the hands of the ratepayers themselves; but if the power at any time should— through improved legislation—pass into the hands of the Council, I shall vote for everything that will improve and develop the resources of the County. I have a few notes, to which I will now refer. The first is on the question of separation of the upper portion of the County from the lower. In the first place they have not got separation yet, nor do I think they will. In the second place, as to whether it will prove a loss to the County, yet remains to be seen. For my own part I should like to see the County one County, but it is now a question which rests with the Government, and not with the Council, and I do not think the Government will grant separation. The question stands this : Will the Kiwitea and Feilding people derive a benefit by separation, and will Palmerston, Foxton, and Otaki meet with a loss? Well, first of all, the Counties Act requires that the moneys raised in any one riding be expended in such riding; second, if separation is granted, we certainly do close about £17000 worth of rateable property, and with that we also save the cost of maintaining the Lower Gorge Ferry, &c. In any case we have already lost Palmerston ; that town is now a Municipality. It has been said that if seperation is granted that the trade which legitimately belongs to Foxton and Wellington, will go to Wanganui. I do not think so myself. It will not be a question with a Feilding settler, as to whether he is part and parcel of this County or any other County. It will be a question with him as to where he can get the cheapest article. If he can get a bag of flour 1s a hundred cheaper from a Foxton man, than from a Wanganui man, he will buy it without reference to the County. I certainly think that as Foxton can land

goods as cheap as Wanganui can, and also forward them inland as far as Feilding, a good deal cheaper, we need not fear anything on that account. It will, nevertheless, be my object to do all m my power for the benefit of every part of the County as a whole. The next question is the leveying of general rates on the County. There is no doubt a rate will be levied, but as to whether that rate should be 6d, 9d, or 1s, that was the point. I think the rate should be as light as possible ; not to exceed 6d in the pound of the annual rateable value. The next question was the Road Board v. the County Council. This is a point often discussed by ratepayers. Well, I may just say that since the abolition of provinces, the Government found it necessary to vest similar powers in some body of men to that which provincial councils possessed. These powers are defined in the Counties Act, and are given to, the County Council. The Road Boards are said to be a cheaper machinery but Road Boards have not so much power given them ; nor have they as much work to perform. Road Boards may and can merge into County Councils; but County Councils cannot merge into Road Boards ; and l am very doubtful whether Road Boards are cheaper than County Councils ; and I do not know whether Road Boards would do the work for nothing, if they had to do the work they now do, as well as that of the Council ; and in order for them to do so. an Act would have to be passed for the purpose. I think that one governing b y is quite enough for any county — o se leaving out or excepting local boards and municipalities. The largest item of expense in the County Council is the Clerk and Chairman's salary. Perhaps those gentlemen will be public spirited enough to do away with these items, and work for the honor of the thing. If any body of men can be got who will efficiently carry on the work of the County Council and of the Road Board for nothing, I will vote for that party. If you ask me, will I be a good Councillor ? I reply, No. I think there are plenty of men who are very much better fitted for one than I am. I think that the gentleman who has just resigned— l mean Mr Liddel—is very much better qualified for the office than I am. I shall, however, do my very best for you, if you do me the honor to return me. I shall now be happy to answer any questions which may be put to me. Mr Thynne said as there were no questions being asked the candidate, he would like to say a few words. The Chairman : You must ask the candidates themselves and the meeting called by them. Dr Rockstrow came forward and said he thought "honesty was the best policy." If Mr Thynne wanted to call a public meeting, they had taken the Hall to-night, and for himself he would not allow Mr Thynne to address them. The Chairman said Dr. Rockstrow has decided that he does not want to hear you, Mr Thynne. Mr Loudon said with all due defference he should not care to sanction Mr. Thynne addressing the meeting. Mr Thynne said every elector has a right to address the meeting. The Chairman do you intend to address them on the question at issue ? Mr Thynne said " yes," and went on to correct the Doctor's statement, that the proposed railway line to Sandon, had been estimated to be formed along the side of the present road, instead, as he supposed, on the road ; and instead of his belief that ninepence or a shilling rate would be necessary, it would be seen that a sixpenny rate would be sufficient. After a few words from Chairman, and a vote of thanks being passed to that gentleman, the meeting termnated.