MASTERTON LOCAL BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4396, 22 April 1875, Page 2

MASTERTON LOCAL BOARD.

(from ODR OWN correspondent). A public meeting was held in the Masterton Town Hall on Monday evening, 19 th instant, at 8 p.m., to consider what steps should be taken towards establishing a local board in the township of Masterton. It was proposed by Mr. D. McGregor, and seconded by Mr. W. Chamberlain, that Mr. K. G. Williams should take the chair. The motion was agreed to. The Chairman then addressed the meeting, urging the necessity of establishing a local board at once. He said the ratepayers should be very careful in the selection of proper persons, who would work and pull together for the benefit of the and not to get into such a mess as the Greytown Board, which would destroy the confidence of the public. He explained the provisions of the Town Board Local Act, and said that according to the Act it was unnecessary to call a public meeting. A working committee could go round and obtain two-thirds of the signatures of the 1 ratepayers, in presence of a witness, who would also have to sign to each signature to the requisition addressed to the Superintendent. The chairman made an excellent speech, and was much applauded. Mr. D. McGregor, who proposed the first resolution, argued that it was time that Provincial Governments should be done away with, and that local boards should be formed all over the country in lieu of provincialism, which meant centraUsm in reality, as it drew, the 'money from the■, country and spent it in the city or centres of population, neglecting local interests ; and the soonerdocal management was established the better, so that where the money in taxes was, .raised there it should be: expended. He moved the first proposition, which was seconded by ;Mr. A. Cojipins—“That it is the opinion of this meeting that it is 'desirable , to ( local .board in Masterton.”-

: - Mr. Woodrooffe did not object to the formation of a local board, but was proceeding to object to the large extent of boundaries, when he was called to order by the chairman, who informed Mr. Woodrooffe that on the reading to the meeting of the second proposition, which directly stated the proposed boundaries, then would be the time to make the objection on that question. Mr. Woodrooffe continued-a- ramb- ' ling speech, opposing everything and desiring to impress-upon-the meeting that it was too soon, to establish a local board, and that the Provincial Government were doing the best they could in filling up holes in ■ ditches and roads. - - - - ' “ . Mr. James Russell then spoke strongly m favor of local boards, and said that it was cheaper and better to pay taxes than the ■ doctor. He made a telling speech in favor of.' local management. His remarks were much applauded. < Mr. James McGregor spoke in favor of alocal board. He said the- rapid increase of traffic clearly showed' the absolute • necessity of at once getting a local board formed. Mr. John Greaves next spoke in favor of a. local board, thinking that it was a step in the right direction, and that it was better for him to pay taxes and have the convenience of a causeway in front of, his shop, for it' .was not comfortable to be jammed in with mud in the' winter time and pay no taxes. The first proposition, was , then put by the Chairman, and. carried unanimously. ■ ■-. The second proposition . was- moved by Mr. James McGregor, and seconded by Mr, Bannister —■“ That the proposed plan of the definition of the boundaries of the Masterton Local Board, as in the sketch produced, extending to Manuia on the South and Waipoua on the North, should be adopted.” Mr. James Russell objected to the boundaries as being too large, . He would have cut off a portion of the south-east boundary, only extending to the Kuripuni Creek. Mr. James McGregor was, in favor.of the proposed boundaries. ~ , . . . The Chairman then explained that according to the Act ■ the boundaries should not . be more than two miles. in one direction, or four square miles. ; . Mr. Woodrooffe then strongly objected tothe boundaries proposed, as being too' large. He said the boundaries should be larger or smaller (which caused some' laughter andironical cheers), and was.very much afraid that it would lead to some dishonesty, and in all probability work unfairly ,on ■ some . taxpayers,, while others would not be called upon to pay their fair proportion; while : they would mono- > polise, the, funds when, in office, by. effecting, improvements at their own doors to their own. . advantage and the public detriment. He would do his best, though worsted, to defeat the object in view. Mr. W, Chamberlain then attacked Mr.. Woodrooffe, for his narrow-minded speech. The. Chairman, called the speaker to order.. Mr. H. Bentley, sen., : then wanted to know how the property ,had to be valued; and at what rate. . The answer was—No alternative ;■ the Act states Is. in the £. , " ■ Mr. James Russell believed that it would be necessary to appoint an assessor, Mr. Woodrooffe then, moved as an amendment, which was seconded by . Mr. Rhodes Donald, that the boundaries . should, only include the town acres of Masterton, including the Kuripuni township acres. J . Mr. Duncan McGregor attacked MrWoodrooffe for moving, such an amendment, as being too contracted, and argued stronglyin favor of the proposed boundaries.; : Mr. H. Bentley objected to the appointed local board, when the chairman called him to order, as the question whs He said he entirely disagreed with Mr.- Woqdrdoffe’s amendment, but , agreed with . Mr. James. McGregor’s proposition. The amendment proposed by Mr., G. W. Woodrooffe, and seconded by Mr. Rhodes Donald, was then put and lost. The second proportion was next put and carried, with only two dissentients. It-was proposed by- Mr. W. Chamberlain,, . and seconded by Mr. James Nicol—“ That a-sub-committee of five be appointed to draw up a requisition to the Superintendent, to obtainsignatures, and forward the same for the formation of a local board.” ,- 1 The .motion was agreed to without dissent; the committee of five to. consist of—James McGregor, R. G. Williams, W. Chamberlain, Robt. Donald, and H. Bannister., An amendment was proposed that nine, should form the. committee, five to .constitute'a quorum.' This was. carried,_only one__oppqsing, _and_ then the , following names were jadded ; —IV- Perry, A. Hathaway, James Russell, iDonald Donald (as secretary),- G. W, Woodrooffe and W. O’Meara declined., r ..... , r ■ ■ • v ' The’ Chairman then addressed the meeting, thanking them.for -the honor of being placed ■ in the chair, and said- he was very .much pleased to find _,that 'the , mind inMasterton was being .well stirred up .from a- , state of apathy, and that such,an interest had now been taken in - local affairs—so different from former times, when it was difficult to muster only a few to a publio meeting. - Thanks to the chairman for -his able services was proposed by Mr; J ames McGregor, and cordially seconded by Mr. J ames Russell. This concluded the business of the meeting. This was .one of the best business meetings that has ever been held in Mastefton. . After the meeting ■ the ‘ committee of nine met to discuss the method of : proceeding with the business appointed for them to do, ; and to plan the. necessary steps to obtain the signatures to the requisition to -thef Superintendent. They then adjourned till Friday next, the 23rd of April, when a meeting will be Held at the Masterton Library Room.