CLUTHA COUNTY RATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 18

CLUTHA COUNTY RATES.

CLINTON RIDING. A petition with 59 names attached was presented a* the Cluth?. County Council's meeting on Friday from residents of the outlying districts of Clutha, protesting against the notice of motion recently put before the council by Mr M'JLrachian, councillor for the riding, to increase the rate from Id to lid, on the ground that it was too hiiph. Mr D. Williamson, of Clinton, attended on behalf of tne petitioners, and briefly outlined their grounds of objection. He explained that about three years ago Clinton Hiding had been divided into two portions for rating purposes. Shortly after this division the outlying portion was rated at Id, while the Clinton town portion was left a>t the original late of Jd. Now it was proposed. to further rate, the outlying portion to- lid, and .this the petitioners considered to be too high and quite unfair. There were three and a-half miles of road in Clinton to bs kept •in repair, and the rate of |d- was inadequate for their -maintenance Something snould t© taken from the outlying portion to help keep the Clinton roads in repair, but to increase the rates of the outside portion for that purpose was quite unfair. Many of the scattered farmers did not utilise the Clinton roads m trucking grain, etc., but went to other adjacent railway stations. In fjict, many relied on sheep rather than agriculture, thus having very little carting to do, and it was the farmers in and around Clinton who cropped most, and caused greater wear and tear on the roads by carting produce to the Clinton Railway Station. He thought it would be more in keeping with the situation if the Clinton rales were raifeed rather rhaa put a further increase on the outlying farmers. The general feeling was that the iand valuator would soon, he round again increasing their valuation, so that the proposed increase in taxation would then be very keenly felt. Thero was far more traffic in Clinton than in the other portion of the riding. I The Chairman said that they would fully i consider the matter, and let him know i Later on, whereupon Mr Williamson retired. The C'nairman then asked for particulars as to the valutions of the respective districts, which, the clerk supplier in detail, showing that the- Clinton area' had "increased from £18,331 in 1905 to £22,231 in j 1909. and the outlying area, from £60,778 in 1906 to £73,4-14 in 1909. These figures showed the difference in the extent and also the requirements of the two districts. Cr M'liaohlnn said that after due consideration he would still advocate the lid rate on the outlying poifcion and the 3<l on Clinton. The Clinton ratepayer* had to pay rates to other bodies, and that had ro be taken into consideration. The deputation had slated that $d was insufficient for Clinton, seeing that funds had io be raist'd somehow, but he had not intended to raise the rates at all if the Government grants had_ still bean available. However, the cry "No funds available" was continually being raised, co something must be done. The outer portions wore only rated on tenants' value, not on capital value, and they had many < onces&ions. Th>ey were asking that the town people be rated the same as themselves forgetting the fact that the townsman have other sources to contribute to All money expended on the outside was for their exclusive benefit, and a laige amount had been spent op five of their bridges. Two bridges in the Gorge had to be gone on w ith to enable settlers to get traction haulage, and indirectly the ratepayers had to contribute to it. wbi'e anything sp-snt on the Clinton portion was a benefit to themselves as well ; Lf fact, they had the bast of The arrangements all round. He considered that the council should - adhere to the decision of id for Clinton and lid for the outlying portion, more especially us it was only for one year, and- not necessarily for all time. Nearly all tha heavy traffic came from further out, and that many of the Clinton residents had neither horse, cart, nor wheelbarrow, and did not use the out roads. After furtlier disoossion, Cr Quin moved — " That the matter stand at ijd for Clinton and ljd for the outlying portion for the year." Seconded by Cr Michell, and j carried.

WOMEX'S CHEISTrAIf TEMPIRAKCE The usual monthly meeting of the W.C.T.U. was held in the Y.W.U.A. roo.ns on the 3rd, -Mrs Blair (president) in the chair. It was decided to help at a future date in ihe editing of the woman's page ia the Vanguard. An interesting report from the literature department was read by Mrs Don. Large quantities of magazines, books, and papers of every description have boan sent to the Sailors' Rest, Greymouth, and also for distribution in the back-blocks, as well as in the homes for the 6ick and aged. The meeting expressed its indebtedness to the Union Steam Ship Company for carrying th-a above by steamer, and also to Mr T. Sander* for carting freight free. Mrs Roeing was elected superintendent of this department. Arrangements were made for Mre K. L. Stevenson's visit to Dunedin.