The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8. 1886.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 1, Issue 36, 8 October 1886, Page 2

The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8. 1886.

Thk Wairorapa East County Council recently decided that meeting* should tie held in tho various ridings of the County for the purpose of ascertaining the views of ratepayers regarding the advisability or otherwise of taking advantage of the Local Bodies Loans Act. Strange to say the ratepayers of the Pahiatua riding were not considered worth appealing to on this matter, as no mention was ma le of this district in the resolution authorising the chairman to call meetings, nor has any communication bearing on the question been received by anyone here. The fact is we are too far away from Masterton for the Chairman or any other official of the Council to visit us, and whilst the ratepayers of other ridings are allowed the full benefit of the knowledge of the Council concerning the provisions of the Local Bodies Loans Act, we are called upon to agree to its adoption with our eyes shut, as it were. The reason for this course we are not aware of, but we think the same opportunity should have been given the ratepayers of this riding as was given to those in others of expressing an opinion on a matter | that is alike important to all. Mr Maekay, County Chairman, according to advertisement, met about thirty settlers at the Eketahuua schoolhouse on Friday last, and from the Star we take the following summary of the proceedings : —“ Mr Maekay explained in detail the machinery of the new Act, and recommended that settlers should take advantage of it. lie pointed out what he considered the weak feature in the Act, i.e., the exemption of Crown and Native lands from bearing their fair share of taxation. lie did not recommend the conversion of county loans under the Boads and Bridges Construction Act, but lie advised Road Boards to convert their loans with a view to easing the annual rates. lie explained the error and injustice done to the Eketahuua ratepayers in connection with the loans raised under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, out of which the Manawa bridge had been constructed, and stated that this bail been rectified by crediting the Alfred ton riding with the interest which had been formerly charged against their rates. He stated that tho increased rates for the current year were due to increased valuation, and that the special rales levied under the new valuation were not sufficient to pay the annual instalment of interest on loans. Ho referred to the apparent injustice done to the Eketahuua end of the road in expending the £2,500 loan under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Alluding to the financial position of the riding, lie pointed out that if the expenditure was kept within the credit balance till the eml of the financial year the riding would be free of debt. Ho recommended the settlers to borrow to the extent of £2ooo—£looo for the Eketahuua end of road and £IOOO for extension of road formation at Tiraumea. Mutual benefits would accrue to the township and surrounding district by opening up the back country.” Mr Thomas Bavliss said he disapproved of any further borrowing on account of the limited rating power of the riding. He agrees! with Mr Maekay as to the injustice of excluding Crown and Native lands from the operation of the Act. lie move*! the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr Von Re-dell ;—“ That this meeting pledges itself to resist any further borrowing under the County Council.” Air Von Re-den pointexl out that the former loan had been unfairly apportioned, and that the Eketahuua settlers were being rated for works in which they had no direct interest. Mr C. C. Good said that any monies expended on any se-otiefn of the road between Eketahuua and Alfredton must necessarily benefit Eketahuua by bringing increased traffic and business to tho settlement. He agreed with Mr Mackav that metalling meant an ultimate saving in cost of maintenance, and pointed out that the Road Boards could utilise tho deferred payment thirds towards paying interest on loans. Mr Win. Baybas strongly opposed borrowing on accouut of the limited rating area. He thought the new Act was likely to prove of more I advantage to old established districts ' than to new ones like this. In the case of the Alfredton Riding the rateable value on Crown lands was £28,000, while the value of private properties was £30.000, so that half the district would be exempt from rate? for loans under this Act. This alone should deter Eketahuua from borrowing. Mr ?iliu'kuy explained that the Council had no desire to force the district to borrow, and that no borrowing could | be done except by a poll of ratepayers. - lie confirmed the statement made by j Mr Good tlmt the Government would allow deferred payment thirds to be used towards paying off loans. The I Chairman said that the special rating ' area under the Roads and Bridges Act ! bad acted must unfairly. He thought the County ought to have a distinctly ! defined area before proposing to raise 1- ail.-, at lilt Intel.-dY M would

bring the matter Indore the County Council and endeavour to get tlic old boundaries of the special rating area re-adjusted. Mr C. G. Good moved the following amendment, “That this meeting is in favor of borrowing to the - xtent uf £2,000 for metalling and formation works between Eketahuna and Firaumea.' The amendment was not seconded. Mr Bayliss resolution was then put and carried. Mr Alex. Anderson, chairman of the meeting, in moving a vote of thanks to the County Chairman for having met them that evening, said that lie felt sure that although they had not considered it advisable to take the same view as Mr Mackav on the matter of borrowing, they all felt that the meeting had been of great advantage to them hy affording an opportunity for discussing and explaining important public matters.

The heavy rain during the early part of tho week has done considerable damage to the roads in various parts of the district, owing to the overflow of creeks. At the Village Settlement the water was very much higher than in August, but tho experience gained on that occasion induced the settlers to seek more elevated ground for thoir buildings, thus saving them from being flooded out n second time. However, the position was not a pleasant one, as the flow of water across the Township Road was so strong as to prevent any communication with some of the settlers for over a day. Mr and Mrs Webb woro considered the most unfortunate, for besides being surrounded with water, they had six children down with the measles. Fortunately the little ones had got over the worst of it before tho flood enrao, and we aro glad to notice that they have now sufficiently recovered to get out again. The Township Road has been very much cut up ill places, more especially near culverts, which do not seem of sufficient size to carry off tho water. The side drains are also too small to be of any service, and it will be necessary for tho Road Board to take some action to secure itself against further loss. There is no doubt tho felling of timber into tho Mangaramarama has been the chief cause of the overflow, for we noticed at both sides of tho bridge on the above road that tho river had been so completely blocked as to prevent all chance of the water getting away by its natural course, consequently it broke over the hanks and completely Hooded tho surrounding land. It is a matter for tho Road Board to consider whether the Government should not bo asked to contribute towards works to be done on the Township Road, as it will be principally for the benefit of the Village settlers. The expenditure of Government money ou this road would give tho settlors an opportunity of earning something besides thoir advunces, and we would suggest that the matter be brought before Mr Ballance during his visit. Oil the Toritoa Road, tho bridgo crossing tho Mangaramarama is in a dangerous state, and requires immediate attention at the hands of the Hoad Board. No doubt in time tho rivers will clear themselves of tho vast amount of timber now lodged in them ; but to ensure this being done more quickly, owners of land along rivers should if possible cut the timber clear at the sides so that floods might carry it away.