Settlers and the Harbor Rate.

Patea Mail, 2 June 1882, Page 3

Settlers and the Harbor Rate.

A meeting of country ratepayers was held last night in the Kakaramea Town Hall, to consider a proposal for promoting a harbor improvement bill, with rating clause as a necessary condition to borrowing a further sum of £IO,OOO. The attendance of settlers was large, about forty being present, including a few from Whenuakura, Manutahi, Woodville, and Whakamara. Mr James Nicholson and Mr Palmer, who had attended the Patea meeting, were present; also Mr Honeyfield.

Mr J. Ball* presided, and called on Mr Coutts, who explained the action taken in promoting this movement. Mr Aitchison, a member of the Harbor Board, proposed the same resolution as was adopted at the Patea meeting, in favor of promoting a bill to borrow £IO,OOO for harbor improvements, on a district rate ; the borough'rate not to exceed Is in the pound, the rate on land within three miles from the borough not to exceed 6d, and other land to the pros vincial boundary southward and Manawapou northward not to exceed 3d in the pound. He urged arguments familiar to men engaged in business, that by opening the river to intercolonial trade, the settlers will have more markets for their produce, and will benefit greatly in proportion to the small rate they would have to pay. .Mr Payne, miller, seconded the motion, saying. - . lam very much in favor of the harbor works going on. The improvement of the river so far has very much benefited both the country and the town ; and I think the land will be worth more if the river is further improved to admit larger vessels. Manaia at present can get goods at about the same rate by way of Opnnaki, Waitara, and Patea. If we can lower freights at Patea, more trade will he done between this district and the Plains. Ido not think 3d in the pound on property in the outlying country districts is very much ; and it is fair that the nearer we are to the town the more we should pay. . Mr H. B. Pearce proposed an amendment. “ That the settlers of Kakaramea district’ decline to be rated for harbor purposes.” ’He said : It seems ridiculous to* call on Settlers to ; improve the harbor. If the district produced ten times as much , wool or tallow, it . would find its way with these, little boats; but if we had ever so large a vessel here, I don’t know how we should load her. It is all very for Patea people to get £IO,OOO 0r£20,000 to spend there. They could afford to : be rated a bit, and then they would v clear out. (Hear, hear.) So Jong as there is sufficient to dp the trade, what do you want with more ? A dozen storekeepers could supply the coast, to keep them going properly. All these townships think of being very large, but if we get a large harbor what is there to support it ?—unless we start a large woollen manufactory employing a thousand hands. No sensible man would vote for this rate, unless he is going to file in twelve months. (Laughter.) Settler : If those who object to a harbor rate would propose a rate for better roads, there would be some sense in it. Mr Powdrell seconded the amendment, and said *. The facilities for shipping at present are equivalent to the wants of the district, and likely to be so for some years. We are just getting the railway, and there is no necessity for the river carriage to compete with the railway. Where do the Harbor Board draw the line? Do they wish to bring in the Great Eastern ? If they want to raise the funds, why not raise the tonnage ? It is less in Patea than any port I know of ; and I consider it is only just doing; something to enable storekeepers to compete with other places. The more a district is taxed, the less the land is worth. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. Nicholson : What would this £IO,OOO accomplish in improving the harbor? The work done by the present Board has cost about 7s 9d a yard, but the 1000 feet done some time ago cost over £l2 per foot. Mr Aitchison : The Board did not think it necessary to go to the expense of preparing a plan until they got your consent to a bill. Discussion was continued at great length, questions being asked and some not answered. Opinions against rating were expressed by Messrs Gilbert Pearce, A. Hunter, Palmer, Nicholson junior, Job Gane, and G. W. Gane. The Chairman ruled, in answer to Mr J. Gane, that any ratepayers could vote on the question. Vote taken : .18 for the amendment (no rating) and 5 against it. Amendment declared carried.

Mr Adams then moved that the constitution of the Harbor Board be altered, as proposed at the Patea meeting. Mr G. W. Gane seconded proforma, but also made a speech against it. Mr Pearce said that if Patea borough was willing to be rated, it might have all the members.

After a short discussion, the motion was put, 2 being for it and a.large number against. - Thanks to the chair closed the proceed-

Meetings are called at Manutahi and Whenuakura, this and to-morrow evening.