MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 71, 19 July 1873, Page 2

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

The Ratepayers nt Ormond held a meeting on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of nominating five members for election at the General Meeting on Monday next, when the following business took place : — Mr. Cohen was called to the chair, and introduced the business of the meeting for the consideration of those present. He would express his opinion that a certain number of small farmers are necessary to the well-being of the district, but objects strongly to the whole Road Board being represented by small farmers, and proposed “ That Messrs. Hall, King, Villers, Poynter, and Johnson, be put in nomination as representatives of Ormond and out-lying district.” Seconded by Mr. Davis.

Mr. Barrie proposed Mr. Parsons. Mr. Cohen, urged the inadvisability of electing Mr. Parsons, owing to certain acts of his at the last General Meeting in Gisborne. He considered that the District can be amply governed by five competent men, and believed those he proposed to be thoroughly the right men in the right place. In just ice to Mr. Poynter he thought he had conscientiously done his duty to the district. The Sheep-farmers can be amply represented by the two members, Messrs. Johnson and Poynter. Mr. Davis opposed the last motion. If the district be enlarged all that the settlers pay as rates at present will be lost, as they will go in for Separation. Mr. Cohen : We can’t allow a small body of men (although Sheep-farmers) to dictate the ill or weal of the place. Mr. Villers: If the majority of Ratepayers are for Separation, well! If not, well! But do it by vote. Mr. Davis: If the small farmers consider themselves over-rated, they can carry Separation, and have Pastoral, Country, and Town Districts. Mr. Cohen : Major Westrup, in 1871, paid 4s as rates ; yet he expects as much for said 4s as if he were heavily rated. Mr. Barrie : How can the extended boundaries be carried ?

Mr. Cohen : They are carried at present, and only await the sanction of the Superintendent. Mr. Mullooly suggested the erection of Toll-gates, and making non-ratepayers pay their share.

Mr. Barrie : Who does the meeting propose to represent Gisborne.? Mr. Cohen : Mr. Hall is the most fitting man in Gisborne, and having an interest in Ormond, will undoubtedly be our man. Mr. Davis moved the present District to be already too large, and thought the proposed addition simply proposterous. Mr. Maynard did not see why Tologa people, and other residents, at long distances, should assist to make our roads, and proposed the District to be from Whare-onga-onga to Ngatapa; thence to Makekoi; thence following the Mungatu to its junction; thence in a straight line to the Waimata. Mr. Cohen seconded the motion which was carried.

Mr. Caulton heard some person state that he was asked and would not represent Ormond last year. He would inform the meeting that as he had not paid his rates up to Polling Day he was not considered eligible. Mr. Barrie suggested that as this is only a preliminary meeting there will be an opportunity of proposing Mr. Caulton at the general meeting. Mr. Cohen hopes that members of this meeting will stick together and put their men in at the general meeting. Mr. Maynard asked if the meeting had decided on the most acceptable way of being rated for the ensuing year. After some discussion a resolution was unanimously carried that the rate for the ensuing year should be on the selling value. Mr. Davis asked what is the difference between value to sell, and rental value ? How come at the rental value ?

Mr. Cohen : If there are improvements: say a house and fence on a property ; that property is more valuable as a leasehold.

Mr. Cohen’s original proposition was put to the meeting and declared to be carried unanimously. After an animated discussion concerning the Gisborne wharf and wharf fees, an unanimous vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business of the meeting.