Waitoa Settlers Association

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43324, 12 May 1908, Page 2

Waitoa Settlers Association

AN IMPORTANT MEE^jpJ' ■ .i—. v :/ A well-attended meeting Waitoa Settlers’ Association was held in the Public Hall last Saturday afternoon at 3 o,clock, there being about thirty-eight settlers present. Mr Matthew Henry was in the chair, and Mr Walker was acting-secretary. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, said that the. main reason why they had assembled there was to discuss the new proposals set forth by the Bank of New Zealand in reference to altering the present terms ot agreements between the Bank and the settlers, on which the various sections were sold; and further stated that he himself could see no reason why they should request them to sign over a fresn mortgage on their properties (which the Bank request them to do). He pointed out, that some time previous the Bank directors had met the Piako and Ohinemuri County Councils, and had arrived at a settlement with reference to the roading of the estate, whereby the Council were to receive and agree to the roads being f dedicated, and as soon as the agreement was drawn up and the seals affixed, then would the money be paid to the Councils. The Piako County Council had prepared, a system ol drainage that would give immediate relief to the roads and settlers alike, which was the only course open in view of the lateness ot the season. A draft form of agreement was submitted for the Council s approval about two months the whole business was to be fixed / up inside a week, and here we are now very near the middle °f ™ m * er and not a thing done to provide for the roads and drainage beyond that the plans and specifications have been prepared and are awaiting the Bank’s pleasure to cemplete the' agreement. Now we are told that unless the settlers are prepared to sign the new agreement as requested by the Bank, the .deed of the dedication of the roads would not be executed. He tnought that this demand made by the Bank was‘ a most unreasonable one ; but he was inclined to the belief that if the Bank resorted to drastic measures they would simply have to sign the best of it. He would like m ask. Mr Gilchrist if he could exmpn to the meeting whether thereywyre any advantages or disadvantages uveonnection with signing on a fresn mortgage. ; ■ A" 1 Mr Gilchrist explained at length 1 as to how such would effect the settlers, and gave much useful 1 advice. He also wished to apologise ■ for the absence of Mr T. Gavin, the } County Chairman, who was seriously indisposed; and stated that Mr Gavin had tried all he could to get this matter settled. There was also a fresh clause inserted in the agree1 ment between the Councils’ and the Bank that required careful consider*- / . ti° n * ,<•: •. _ v At this) stage Mr K. Brookfield J and Mr Brodie, managers of the 1 Bank of New Zealand at Hamilton and Te Aroha respectively* entered E the meeting, and whaon Mr Gilchrist t resuming his seat, explained the L reason why the Bank deemed it advisable to have fresh mortgages 1 duly signed before finally settling the * arrangements already made with the . Councils. Mr Brookfield said" that the Bank had been advised by their solicitor that owing to the. uncertain wording of the Act they, were compelled to request the settlers to take a fresh mortgage on their properties, before settling the arrangements already made with the Councils, so that all the deeds could be registered at the same time as the deed of dedication of the roads was registered. If the settlers would assist them by coming forward aud signing as requested, they would be assisting - themselves in as much as the amount arranged between the Councils And Bank would be paid over at once, and the works could then be proceeded with. r • Asked if the Bank meant to compel the settlers to sign, Mr Brookfield said “ the Bank did not want to take such a step, but he was afraid if matters were not going smoothly, the Bank would reluctantly have to take that stand.” Mr McGlom said that in his" opinion, there was too much shuffling in dealing with this matter all through the piece. Every fresh - arrangement that was made was quashed by some lawyer’s opinion, he said, “ Hang the solicitor’s opinion, let them proceed with the work, and do some good. The Bank " by their actions had taken hundreds of pounds out of the settlers’ pockets v > last year, and it looked as if the , same state of affairs was going to TifcMl the order again." Mr McGloini resumed his seat by stating he was sick and tired of the whole business, (Applause.) After some further cross-firing between the Bank manager and Mr Matheison, it was proposed by Mr Mclndoe and seconded by Mr Horn, that in the opinion of this meeting the Bank’s request should be complied with. The motion on being put to the meeting was declared io be carried, half the meeting remaining neutral. / Mr Brookfield and Mr Brodie then withdrew from the meeting. The Chairman said there Was another matter to deal with, which was

the important one of roads and drainage, and called upon those present to fully discuss the subject* Mr Mclndoe said that he thought the time was now opportune tor them to set about starting a drainage board, by so doing they would all be dealt with on an equitable basis. Some people thought that by entering into a drainage board the whda

of their property would be rated, this is a mistake as the lands were classiv fied ; and rates were levied according to juch classification, and he thought thUF-they should now unite and push thesmatter forward. ’Mr Gilchrist said that he usually agreed with Mr Mclndoe, but he had . not had a talk with him on this subject. His opinion was to wait and see. what the councils were going to do for them, and then talk about drainage boards afterwards. The Chairman said he noticed that Mr Johnson, the County foreman, was present, perhaps he could give some informatidn as to what the Piako County Council proposed to do* - ' •• Mr Johnson said he would like it to be understood that he was not present by instruction from the Council, but could say that the works laid out provided for the immediate drainage of the roads and enumerated the various works, but he could not say J whether they would be wholly carried | out, owing to the lateness of the season, and the necessary arrangements have yet to be made with the .Ghinemuri County Council. He understood that a committee from such County was going to make an inspection of their portion next week ahd the matter would be probably settled at the next Piako County

meeting. At any rate he did not think that the work would be started until the next meeting took place. 7 Mr Matheison wished to know whether any widening would be done ■ in Cribb’s outlet to deal with extra water that would be turned into same. Mr Johnson said that there would be no more water turned into this drain than what had been coming there for the last twenty years, but the fact of the upper drains being cleaned would mean that the water would come quicker than was the case last year. Mr Gleason wished to know whether the main outlet would be widened. " Mr Johnson said that he did not think that Council intended to widen this drain. -• -Mr Gfeeson 'said that no water would ! come there untill such provisions were i made;.. The Chairman said that he thought that not much could be done until the arrangements were completed with the I Ohineuinri County, as it was not much use, starting work in the middle of the drain., This matter was then "dropped. The Chairman said be thought that i was time that they had a new committee elected and he thought there was no time ifhe .the present. ' . Mr Mijliidoe supported- ' Apsaiw committee was at once elected* the‘following gentlemen’s names being submitted: ; Messrs Walker, Bellamy, Allen, Horne, Matheison, Mclndoe, and 'West- U . . 'A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing committee and the usual v,- te of tbanfes to the chair concluded one of - the most enthuiaatic gatherings af settlers ever held in Te Aroha.