WAITARA NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 32, 9 February 1901, Page 2

WAITARA NOTES.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.)

There is not an intense amount of excitement in connection with the New Plymouth Harbour Board election, as Mie result is generally regarded as a foiegone cor.cluMao, that the sitting member will bo returned. For the p >st few weeks Mr. Hignett has had an address published in which he states i that he is in favour of a moderate progressive policy, but is opposed to, any gigantic loans involving heavier rating irpon the settlers, as he prefers to s<o the existing loan Mature in due course. During the last few days Mr, Pigott has also published his views, but they contain nothing new, and confine themselves to the question of reducing the rate, which isa policy the Country members have consistently followed uptothe present date. Consequently it is not clear what either the country or the Harbour Board is likely to gain from any ; .n tho representation. The opposition r ally springs from a salcct ;ire'o in Wait'ua, but, acceding to the " mil iu the street," Mr. Hignett will rf.ottiva vivy solid support in the country districts which appear to bo qni'e s-itit-fied that he has carefully watched their interests, and will continue to do so. At tha hst To,wn Boird meeting on Monday la-t an interesting reply was reieived from the Valuation Department roduckg th:sir charge of £4O 16s 9d, which the Beard refused to pay, t > £l2 10s. The Department admits d t! at th.-ie had been an error (only .£2B 16s 9d ove. chirge), but the Bjard hts iiow :■ sked for details as to how the smaller sum of £l2 10s is arrived at as po.-sibly there may be a further error which will necessitate another reduction Qfclier local bodie3 will please note.

The attendance at the Regatta was not bo la"g'i a* last year owing to tha llusottM we.ither.