MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT ORMOND.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 324, 13 November 1875, Page 2

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT ORMOND.

A meeting of the ratepayers of Ormond, convened by advertisement, was held at Mr. Villers’ Chandos Hotel, Ormond, on Wednesday afternoon last. There was a fair attendance of the largest and most influential ratepayers in the district. Mr. Barrie was moved into the chair.

The Chairman having briefly explained the object of the meeting, invited anyone present, who had either'a proposition, or a suggestion to make, to do so. It was desirable that a definite expression of opinion on the subject respecting which they had assembled, should bo elicited from the meeting. Several gentlemen addressed the meeting, respectively, pointingout the injustice to which the Ormond ratepayers were subjected, by being connected with the Poverty Bay Highway Board, and suggesting the propriety of erecting the Ormond district into a separate Road Board. It was stated that the greater part of the rates paid by the Ormond settlers were spent in improving Gisborne, whilst little or no attention was. paid to the requirements of Ormond. Mr. Hargrave moved—

“ That the district from the Woerenga-a-hika Hotel, andcroea roads to Bipongarei,to the boundaries of the present Board district, be erected into a separate Bond district.” Mr. Brunt seconded the motion. Mr. Keating moved, as au amendment — “ That the district be extended to Maungatu." Mr. Villers seconded the amendment. In a discussion which ensued it was argued that it would be impolitic to extend the district to Maungatu, on the ground that the roads in that outlying part of the district would require more money to be expended upon them than could possibly be raised by assessment in the locality. It would bo much better not to make the Road district too unwieldly. The amendment was withdrawn, and the Chairman having put Mr. Hargrave’s resolution to the meeting, it was carried unanimously. It was agreed that a copy of the resolution should be immediately transmitted to His Honor the Superintendent of the Province, with a request that the proposed Road district should be proclaimed as such, with the least possible delay, provided it was in the Superintendent’s power to do so, which, the meeting thought, it was. If, however, it was found that Sir George Grey could not give Ormond a separate Road Board, he could, at all events, recommend the General Government to confer that boon upon them, especially as he seemed to take more than ordinary interest in Poverty Bay. There was au indispensable necessity for a separate Board, and it was to bo hoped that no obstacle would be thrown in the way, by the Government, whereby the accomplishment of that object might be frustrated. The Assessment Roll for the current year was adverted to as a most anomalous production, which needed thorough revision. The valuation of propertyjappearedto have been made in such a capricious manner as to defy anyone to discover the principle upon which the assessors proceeded in- the matter. Some properties had been assessed exorbitantly high, and it was not to be wondered at that dissatisfaction prevailed. Every aggrieved ratepayer ought to attend the meeting appointed by the Road Board to hear and determine objections, and insist upon justice being done to them. Several gentlemen present, whose assessments are unquestionably excessive, expressed their determination to attend the meeting, which takes place at the Board room on Monday next. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings, which were most orderly throughout.