The Wheel Tax.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 8 November 1895, Page 3

The Wheel Tax.

♦ At the County Council meeting on Monday, Mr Adlam, pursuant to notice given, moved that the wheel tax be suspended after December 31st. He considered the time had now come when the wheel tax could be done away with. The tax was not viewed with much favor, and as the Council was in a better position he thought they might suspend the tax for one year. Mr Connett said it was generally understood when the wheel tax was first introduced that it was only for one year, and he now thought the Council was in a position to suspend it. If at the end of the term the Council found it could not be done without then they could continue it. Mr Tate seconded the motion. He thought the time had now arrived when the Council could do without it. Mr Okey stated that he had always been against the tax, and would support its suspension. Mr McGloin said he would be in favor of continuing the wheel tax for nine months, and the revenue so derived to be devoted to reducing the overdraft., The Chairman stated that he would favor Mr Adlam's motion. The ratepayers were averse to the tax, and he thought they should have a voice in the matter. He believed that the Council could do without it. Mr Peters would like to say a few words in defence of the yearling. Not one of the speakers had pointed out how the Council was going to do without the revenue. Were they going to let the roads go to the bad ? True, the tax was obnoxious, but any tax was unfavorable, and they must have funds to keep the roads and bridges in repair. The Chairman stated that about £750 had been collected in tax, and out of this £3O had been deducted for expenses. Mr Peters said if all the tax had been collected it would have reached close on £IOOO. The motion was then put and carried, Messrs McCullum and McGloin against.—News.