ONEWHERO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 212, 26 September 1916, Page 2

ONEWHERO.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

HAMILTONS' DEVIAII9Si-'^ t ' SCHEME.

The project known a* Hamilton's deviation was again ditcassed at a meeting of ratepayers held in the Onewbero Public Hall on Filday evening last, the gathering having been convened in accordance with a request put forward at the last meeting of the Raglan County Council by Mersn S. Crawford and L. Allen tor the chairman, Cr Campbell Johstone, and other members to visit the locality in order to make themselves acquainted with the local opinions. In the absecce of Cr Johnston, Cr Lowry presided, Cr Moore, member for the Onewhero riding being also present. There was a large attendance of residents.

CR MOORE'S EXPLANATION

Cr Moore was the firat speaker, and tae stated that Messrs Crawtord and Allen, claiming that fee bad misrepresented the tacts to the ratepayer* had offered to pay the whole of the Councillors' expense expenses if they would cjme and view the scene of action. They also acusaed him of packing the public meeting held at Onewbero, but be had given public notice in the usual way and all facts set forth by bim at the meeting were as laid before him by tfce clerk of the Council. He emphatically declared tbat what be said waa true, and he bad nothing to retract. His opponents consisted of two groups—gentlemen and the opporite?. (Laughter). Ihe latter section practically imputed incompetence to the engineer and accused the clerk of holdicg back matter. Aa for the public notice in the paper, it waa quite correct. Ihe stand be bad taken from the beginning was that if the ratepayers realised the true cost and wanted the road he waa willing to act for them. Cr Moore then read the statement ol cost as given at the last meeting of the Council, totalling £I4OO. The coit had now been reduced to £9OO, but aucb was due to no misrepresentation on his part. Ibe reduction of £SOO was in respect of the transfer of the grant for metal to be put on ths old road. A transfer had never before been taken from oce road to another alter it bad been sanctioned by the Minister of Public Works. The land to be taken from Mr Cameron for the deviation and the fencing expenses would come to £B7 and it had been said tbat be would give it, but such bad never been | put into writiog. "Fightiog" expenses were estimated at £IOO, but tbeee might amount to anything. All he feared from the beginning was tbat if they interfered with the plans for spending the subsidy the whole money would be lost. He claimed tbat there waa no possible chance of a grant for the work from tfce Government, so they could not look tor a £ for £ subsidy. It was not a question of the best road but of the cost. Cr Moore said, in conclusion, that be wanted a fair run, open criticism and the whole matter clear. The chairman briefly corroborated Cr Mo.<re's account as fairly representing the Council's attitude.

AN INTERLUDE—QUESTION OF cosr.

Mr Crawford asked for the Minister's letter to be read by which he communicated to the Council his qualified approval of the matter as laid down by him (Mr Crawford). On the letter being read by Cr Moore, Mr Crawford deuied asking for a poll tor I*l4oo, but tor £SOO. At the same time be claimed that he was not working again&t the engineer's estimates. Mr Moore then read Mr Crawford's letter to Mr Marsland, the County Clerk askiog for a roll of the ratepayers so as to get a loan of £IOOO, viz., £6OO real ljan plot £SOO subsidy for the deviation. Cr Muors claimed that this was a clear estimate of £IOOO and again urged that there was no possibility uf a subsidy coming from the Government. Mr Leo Allen claimed that not taking into account "lighting" expenses the cost was now reduced to £768, and as £2OO bad been subscribed or guaranteed such reduced the cost to £658. All battens and many posts bad been promised free, so tne actual cost would not exceed £6OO.

Mr Walters suggested nflprcpresentation tight from the beginning by Mr Crawford in bis letter to the Minister in wbicb be clsimed that 24.2 chains of metal would be saved on the proposed road as compared with the present road. Mr Walters Mid the present road was already metalled, so he asked where was the saving? Mr Crawford quoted a letter writtei bf Mr Walters in which he had told the Minister that there was six inches of metal on the road. That, said Mr Crawford, was far from true. Mr Walters then produced a cop; of his letter, which be read to the meeting.

"A BKBEZE." Mr Crawford explained that bis letter to Mr Maraland about tbe £IOOO was just a rougb estimate, and if tbe wbole of tbe money was not wanted there was no necessity to raise it. He was too old to mislead folks and had nothing to gain. Nobody could say that he had ever misled tbem. Their's was a progressive riding—tbe most progressive in tbe County. He waa out for progrets. Mr Hamilton's place would increase in value and the deviation would take nothing away from its value. Cr Moore cl rimed that it took a long time tor Mr Crawford to find out about progress. It bad only struck him since be (Cr Moore) bad been on the Council. It was only a piece of electioneering. One a his (Mr Crawford's) 9upj»ft(elia had told members of the Council, "We want Moore out" \ Mr Crawford offered to any charity it it could be proved tbat be had said such a thing to any Councillor. The chairman pointed out tbat Mr Mnor« had only referred to one of Mr Crawford's supporters, and not Mr Crawfoid himself.

THE COST OF THE DEVIATION

lit Collier asked if Mr Crawford and his supjo ters woul I guarantee ail expenses above £SOO, but ro such guarantee was forthcoming. Mr Keyes suggested a reduction in the loan b( tore the poll was taken by 'He sum subscribed or offered, irafnely. to vote far £SOO, not £9OO. guarantee be given, he enquired, that if the deviation did not cost the £9OO that the full sum would not be raised? He added that surely Mr Hamilton would not tight the matter if a fair sum were offered. If he dia be would probably lose the case and have to pay his own expenses As tbe road once went thiough Mr Hamilton's property the c se was all the more likely to go against him. Cr Moare and tbe chairman claimed that no change could be - made iti the rum tor which the poll was to be taken, as tl e Council had no official knowledge of any sum subsc.ioed towards the expenses, such having been quoted by some as £2OO and by other* £250 and even £3OO, also tbe poll was fixed and advertised tor the 21st October and would therefore take place belore tbe Council met again. Mr L. Muir argued t iat everyhad made up th'.ir minds and would not alter their cpiniocs, to he suggested that they should deal with the reserve question. Mr Wtlters reminded the meeting of ihe state ot tbe road right through from Tuakau. People had to load up Punt bill or Opuatia hill and what did it matter about that little piece in the middle of a journey?

Mr Crawford agreed about tbe whole read, and sqid tbat be personally wo Id like to ace a £IO,OOO Joan with a £ for £ subsidy and so regrade tte whole road. Their's waa a rich district and could easily bear tbe expense. The deviation was a little bit towards that desired object., Mr Crawford and Mr Attewell both urged Cr Mcore to advertisa the reduction cf tbe loan by £260 or £3OO subscribed, which Cr Moore emhatically refused to do, saying only promises had been made and there was nothing substantial to act on.

THE ONEWHEKO RESERVE.

Cr Moore then dealt with the reservs question. A claim for £l9O had been put in by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, he said, which he refused to take out of rates. He agreed tbat it would he nice to have the reserve and had worked on tbe reserve to help forward the work, but he did rot argee to rob the roads of the rates for the purpose, as the sum would amount to abo.it one-third of thb rates. Tbe Council might subsidise the money, but he considered that the settlers should pay for it. Mr Crawford asked if Cr Moore meaut that if about £6O wero collected he would take the balance out of the rates. Cr Moore replied that he did not like taking money from the roads for the reserve.

Mr Keyes stated that when the Domain Committee was formed they were authorised to get the road at any cost, and therefore it should be taken out of tbe rates. Mr Attewell wished to supp3rt this view and said that it was an unfair position to take up to wish for subsiriytions. Cr Moore on tended that it was not fair to take the rates from people at Wairamarama or down by the river to have a recreation reserve in Onewhero. Mr Keyes pointed out that £IOO bad been agreed upon as comparsatinn to Mr*Catbcart and the extra £9O was strongly objected to. Mr R. J. Glasgow supported taking tbe money from the rates, ard suggested that the ratepayers assembled should give a recommendation to Cr Moore to pay the money Iron* the rates. Mr Miller deprecated taking any money from tbe rates at tbe experts of the side roadß, and urged that it would be preferable lor a special rate to be Ityied for the reserve. Mr Keyes proposed, and Mr Cunnold seconded, that the meeting should give Cr Moore authority to pay the £IOO, or if needed the £l9O, out of the rates. Mr Keals numd an amendment, and Mr L. Allan seconded, tbat a subscription list should be opened to pay for the resarv®. He suggested £1 per head and offered his contribu ion of tbat amount. Mr C. Walters supported tbe amendment. Mr Crawford thought tbat a special rate was fairer, though* he offered to pay bis £1 if that course was adopted. After further discussion Mr Keyes' motion was withdrawn. Mr Kcals' amendment then became the motion and was carried by 19 votes to IV. Mr Crawford asked whether the decision referred to the whole of the money being provided by subscription, and the chairman replied that be understood that such to be the effect. Several speakers claimed that Cr Moore had promised aid, whereupon Cr Moore agreed that he would find tbe rest of the money over and above the ;um subscribed. Subscriptions to the amount of £2B were collected in the room, and the following were appointed as a committee to canvass for tfce same, viz.: Messrs C. Walters, L. Keals, L. Allen, W. Keyes, Attewell, G. Logan and A. Crawford. Mr Keves tharked those who had helped on the reserve the previous Saturday, and asked for further help from those who had not turned up so far. lie added that three men had offered to plough the whole ten acres when clear, and if then put into turnipa an offer had been made of £5 an acre for them. A working-bee was arranged for next Saturday. Votes of thanks to the chairman and Cr Moore concluded proceedings. The tollowirg each subscribed £1 at the mee'.ing, viz.Messrs L. Reals. E. Muir, Allen, T. Muir,

Andrews, J Muir, Dufaur, W. Dawes, Liddle, Dyer, York, H. Hender r uD, A lexander, J. HendersodT C. IV Walters, Baker Bros., Nola'i, Ci. Willis, Cameron, G. Walic-s, Parsers, Moore, Crawford Ci), Attewill, Hamilton, J. J. Crawford and Aualbie.

■ Particular or tho loan will bo found in our advertising columns, together with the notice ot poll of ratepayer* to be tak«n en Satcrday,