The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1901. PROPOSED NEW COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 69, 9 April 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1901. PROPOSED NEW COUNTY.

A movement is ob fogt t$ fpr tp a new county reach iag from Pungarehn, or thereabouts, on the Berth, te Otakeho on tho south, having Opvnake for its centre. Meetings are being held, but those who are leading the movement appear to be under the mistaken idea that the constitstien ef a new county, as suggested, will be strongly opposed at New Plymouth and Hawera, This, we believe, is quite a mistake. We have always strongly favoured a new county being formed embracing the district extending nqrth and south of Opunake. There ia no doubt but that the district in question has suffered very much in the past through being the fag end of two counties. We feel sure no serious opposition is to be! expected from New Plymouth, and we notice the Hawera Star disclaims any opposition on the part of Hawera. There are always difficulties to be met in the constitution of a new county but where all parties pull together they are much mere easily got over than if a feeling of ill will is engendered. The matter is really one for the ratepayers to settle and if there is a strong desirp on tho p irt of tho ratepayers of tbe district south of the proposed boundary to throw in their lot with the new county it weald be a very unwise step on the part of the parent county to make any ebjeetfche. As regards the fiuancinl question that is provided for by law and is only a matter of adjustment. We notice the question of the harbour rate was also raised in eanaaetion with the new county. One speaker swd that the proposal was a step towards prevsntjpg conversion of loan by the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and was the first means to checkmate New Plymouth in levying heavier r&tps, Several speakers spoke in the same etraia. Ql course there is no need for any filarm as no poriyersion proposal is before the Boan} and the Jijard hsjs no power to increase the rat,e beyond \yhat is required for interest on the Joan. What ever may bo stafgd to the contrary the new county can h&ye go possible effect one way or the other on the question of tho harbour rate. It is a pity that this question has been introduced to disturb the harmony that might otherwise exist in connection

with the constitution ef the proposed I new county.