RATEPAYERS MEETING.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 246, 18 August 1877, Page 2

RATEPAYERS MEETING.

A mkkti.vg of ratepayers (convened by G. E. Sherwood, Esq., Chairman of the Town Board) was hold in the Oomt House, Carlyle, on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of arranging what steps should be taken in reference to Town Board leases sold in 1870. After considerable delay, and various propositions bad been made, John Gibson consented to occupy tbe chair. After the notice convening the meeting bad been read, Mr Sherwood explained pretty fully what action ho had taken in regard to the Town Heserves, and entered into details as to tbe particular leases then under consideration. He stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of getting the opinion of the ratepayers on tbe matter, and was sorry to see so few present. He did not consider those interested in the leases should vote, and would only be impressed by tbe votes of those not directly interested. A great deal of trouble had been experienced in getting the lands banded over to tbe lown Board"but once the land bad been vested in the Board, no time bud been wasted in getting it into the market. Government

Lad given the Hoard power to lease the reserves for not more than twenty-one years, and had promised to get the whole, matter settled during* last session, but through some unforscen circumstance this was not done— hence the delay in getting the titles ready. In referring to the sale, he Stated that some considerable discussion had taken place as to whether the' leases should be sold by tender or public auction, and it was thought the latter would ho best. Plenty of publicity had been given of the sale, and there was nothing unfair (as some asserted) about the auction, A largo Jimnhe’’ of persons attended the sale, and too bidding was keen. Many buyers, after the sale, thought they had given too much for tin.* laud. The speaker thought so too, and would much rather have seen those who actually wanted to ns? the laud get it, even at a lower price. Applications having been received by the Town Hoard some lime, since to release several lessees from their agreement, it was resolved that in no case should it he. allowed. The question to decide now was, whether the Board should sue defaulters, it was not a matter involving one year's rent, hut in some cases twenty-one. As the Town Board would not decide the question, it was only right that a meeting of rate] layers should be called. lie was exceedingly sony to see so few ratepayers present, as it was a matter of particular interest to them. The Crown grants had been issued, and were now in the Bank of New Zealand, and he did not see how lessees could draw out of their agreement, A number of questions were asked, hot words wei‘e bandied, ami the meeting showed a disposition to he anything hut orderly. After a time it was moved, by Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr it. A. Adams —“That regarding (he laud leased by the Carlyle Town Board in 1870, this meeting is of opinion that in each and every ease 1 where lessees have neglected or refused to comply with conditions of sale, the Board will be full}'justilied in carrying out the provisions of clause 18 of the conditions under which such leases were sold.'’

[The following is clause D 3 of the conditions of sale referred to “lx any purchaser shall fail to comply with the above conditions, his or her deposit money shall be forfeited to the Town board, who shall be at liberty to re-lease, the paddock or building silo, as the case may be, bought by him or her either by public auction, or private contract, and the deficiency, if any. which shall arise at such second sale, together with all expenses attending the same, shall be made good to the Town Board by the defaulter at (his present sale, and bo recoverable as and for liquidated damages, ami it shall not bo necessary previously to tender a lease of the building’ site or paddock, as the case may he, to such defaulter.’ - ] An amendment was moved by Mr Hirst, seconded by Mr Lett —“That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Carlyle Town Board having disposed of leases ot Town Bescrvcs without proper authority (inadvertently), all parties buying’ such leases should, if they so wish, be released from their engagements.”

Tlio amendment was put and carried on division, 1 1, voting for and 8 against. The amendment as carried then became a resolution, when Mr Milroy proposed, and Mr Aitchson seconded, as an amendment —“ 'That ail the words after ‘that’ be lelt out,” which was lost —8 voting for and 11 against.

Jt was moved by Mr \V. Dale, seconded by Mr James Lelt, and carried—“ That it is the opinion of this meeting that no rents should be charged to those persons who have taken or may take up the leases sold by public auction on the G'.h May. 18i!l, for flic year ending 6th May, 1877.”

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.