MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 112, 11 May 1872, Page 2

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

There was a good attendance of ratepayers at the Temperance Hall last night. Mr. Ltjckie, Laving been called to the chair, stated that the object of the meeting was to consider the propriety of recommending the Provincial Government to purchase the plant of the Dun Mountain Company. The Board of Works, not being a corporate body, had not the power to become the purchasers of real property, but they had deemed it advisable to invite the ratepayers to meet and discuss tha matter, aud the Government were awaiting the issue of the meeting before coming to any decision. For his own part he was not t»t ail sure whether the Company had the power to remove the rails or to ti v ansfer their rights to others but not having a copy of tlie Act with him, he was unable to express any decided opiniou on the question. Mr. Percy, chairman of the Board, said that the meeting had been called in consequence of a letter received by the Board of Works from Messrs. Morrison, Sclanders, and Co., the agents for the Dun Mountain Company, calling their attention to the forthcoming sale, and suggesting that the property should be purchased on behalf of the town. They felt that the line had proved » great convenience to the toWh both on account of the Bus running on the Port Road, and also with regard to the facilities afforded for bringing down stone, a large quantity of which had been used for building drains and culverts. A deputation had waited upon the Superintendent, who had said that he would refer the matter to the Executive, but would not arrive at any decision before ascertaining the views of the ratepayers. A desultory conversation here ensued, the general tenor of which was adverse to the purchase of the property on the ground that it would entail additional taxation. A desire being expressed to ascertain what information Mr. Sclanders could give, that gentleman said that he thought his fellow ratepayers were under a wrong impressiou with regard both to the position of the Board and of his firm as agents for the Company in this matter. He had heard one or two of those present say that it was for the sellers to fnrnish information as to what they had to dispose of and the benefits that were likely to accrue to the purchasers, but he wished to say that he was merely acting as agent for a company that was in course of liquidation, and from whom he had received instructions to offer the property for sale on a certain day. In the meantime it had been suggested to him by several of the townspeople that the plaut should be purchased by the Board of Works, in consequence of which he had written to them on the subject. He was not there to press the sale, but as one of the ratepayers, and, in common with a great number of them, be felt that he should be sorry lo see the line removed. He did not think there was much prospect of any further taxation being rendered necessary by the purchase, as for several years the line had been payiDg working expenses, and he might say for the guidance of those present that the reserve price was so low that it could at any time be recouped, if necessary, by tlie sale of the rails and rolling stock, aud many believed that it would be a profitable private speculation. The Act ; clearly allowed the Company to remove the rails, and, he believed, empowered them to transfer, their rightß to others.' '\', ?. , '„'.".'.]'■,.. *• ;; -v-'

Mr. Levestam thought it would be a great improvement, to the Poit Road if the rails were removed. It was possible the line might pay working expenses but he doubled whether in additiou to that it woulil meet the interest on the purchase money. Pie would move "That this meeting does not see any reason for recommending tho Government to purchase the Duu Mountain Compauy's plant." Mr. Field seconded the resolution, which after some further conversation, was carried with but one or two dissentient voices.