TIMARU HARBOR BOARD LOAN.
PUBLIC MEETING AT PLEASANT POINT.
A meeting of ratepayers of the Pleasant Point District was held last evening in the schoolhouse, Mr C. Wright, presiding officer of the Levels Electoral District, being in the chair. About 50 persons attended. The Chairman opened the proceedings by stating that the meeting had been called to consider the Timaru Harbor Board’s proposal to raise a loan of £IOO,OOO, for carrying on harbor works. He also read the Act empowering the Board to borrow, and invited discussion. Mr Moody then addressed 'the meeting, repeating in substance what he had already said at the previous night’s meeting at Washdyke. Mr Gray asked who was to decide upon striking the rate. Mr Moody then quoted the Act, to show that the Harbor Board only had power to strike the rate. He farther stated that the Board desired to make its revenue cover its expenditure if possible, without a rate. An Elector remarked that it was evidently desired to make the country people pay to save the townsmen. Mr v oody stated that the great aim of the Board, was to make the harbor self-supporting.
Mr Young said the country people believed in a rate, not high dues. Mr Moody doubted wether that could be said with confidence of all. There was something about the rate that frightened people off. Mr Stumbles said he highly appreciated Mr Moody’s self-denying exertions, and he knew that he had a considerable interest in the district, but on the question of rates verms dues he was opposed to Mr Moody. He then addressed the meeting at great length advocating a rate instead of an increase of dues, re-iterating the arguments he had used at Washdyke. He further referred to the vast amounts (£500,000 in each) already spent in Lyttelton and Dunedin. Here we needed far less. But the people there were spirited, while here we were too dull. (Laughter.) We took out a sixpence and looked at it. We had no go in us. (Laughter.) “Mr Moody and I,” the speaker continued, “might differ but my opinion is—”(A ratepayer, “the best!” Laughter.) Another speaker remarked that the breakwater was a grand structure, hut incomplete. The work had gone so far that it ought now to be carried on to the end. (Loud Applause.) Mr Moody endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, and added that: any delay would mean a year’s delay. He also remarked that while in Oamaru with much more expenditure they had obtained only 12 feet depth, they were also saddled with the cost of dredging. The matter of rates versus dues was in their own hands. Let them instruct the members of the new Board as they desired, for, of eleven members, only three would represent the town, the rest Would be elected by the country. He advocated unanimity at the poll, for there would not unlikely be opposition, especially at Geraldine. Mr Orton—The Harbor Board have power to levy arate ; then why must we have all this discussion ?
Mr Moody said if rating is desired he would give in to have a rate struck ; but the Board did not desire to go against the minds of the people. Mr Orton Ob! minds of the people! They always have to bear rates against their will. (Applause). Mr D. Anderson said the position of the Board was like that of the boy who took away £30,000 and returned to his father and said the £30,000 had upset him ; all the use it had been was, he had got credit to double the amount. Here our work was good and the Board should go ahead. Lyttelton and Port Chalmers people must be kept out of this district. This harbor must go ahead. By all means let the money be raised. The disaster of May had done Timam a great deal of harm, and the best and only way to recover, was to borrow and work. Moorhoijse was called a fool when he proposed the Lyttelton tunnel, yet there it stands to-day. (Applause.) And if they should by neglect in voting, stop the progress of this loan, they would indeed be fools too. (Loud applause.) Mr Bruce said he was only a visitor but he was much interested in the breakwater scheme. All lived by the farmer it must be owned. He asked them to vote, and induced others to vote for the loan. (Applause.) The meeting terminated _ with the customary thanks to the Chairman.
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 3021, 2 December 1882, Page 2
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749TIMARU HARBOR BOARD LOAN. South Canterbury Times, Issue 3021, 2 December 1882, Page 2
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