NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR LOAN BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 66, 7 March 1908, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR LOAN BILL.

MEETINGS OK RATLTAYEIIS.

AX AIANG-ATOKI.

Continuing their programme uf meetings us advertised in- connection with tin; proposal to buuow .i;JUU,UUO, Messrs McLean ami Hughe- atleniloil at Mangatoki on i'hursdiiy afternoon. I here were twenty ratepayers in attendance. Air. J. Marx was voted to the chair, ilr. McLean fully explained the propnsuls of ttio I Sill", what the portion I would lie if parcel, and what the p"-i- ---] lion would he if it were rejected. .Mr. Hughes contended tliat -New I'lymoulli had agreed to everything asked for by the country members because they got CltJa.uOD in return to spend in their town. Ilr. Hughes also address ed the meeting, liis remarks being similar to those already reported. Mr AlclJuire said to saddle themselves with this loan the position would _hc very serious indeed. The proposed mil' may seem all right, hut when it eame hack from the H„usi> it would he altered | eonsidcrahly. He would like to sCc tin' harhoi-- rate as small as possible. lint he could see through this scheme as well as most people; it was simply a blind; it would lead to further taxation. lie had great resect for Air. AleLeau though opposing the proposal. Air. Marx did not agree with Mr. McLean's statement that if they did not accept this Bill tlicy would have to accept one much worse in future. More discussion followed, and the following resolution was then moved by Mr. Pease:—"That this meeting is op posed to the proposed Bill, and rapiest; the New Plymouth Harbor Board t< take the necessary steps to replace the present ;Cl:i,"),O0l) loan by a new loan of similar amount over the same area." Air Anderson seconded. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson hoped the resolution would not he passed, as the position of the ratepayers in this district would be much tetter under the newproposals, lie would like to see the taxation lilted. This was the best bargain with the people at the northern end that had ever been made. And there was the probability that the harbor would be improved so that large boats would come in, which would make a dill'erence of 12s (id per ton to people who used the, port. He did not think it would lie wise to pass the resolution, and he wouiu move: "That this meeting is in favor of the proposed Bill provided a substantial sinking fund is included."

Mr. Carman seconded. On being ptit to the meeting, tl

amendment was rejected by one vote. A further amendment was moved by Mr. Wilkinson to add to the motion, "that differential rating lie attached." Seconded by Air. Helton. This amendment was also lost, the motion being carried by 8 votes to 7.

AV ELTHAM. There was a large attendance at the Athenaeum Hall on Thursday evening, when Messrs. McLean, Hughes, Maxwell, and Thomson addressed tlie ratepayers. Mr. <"!. W. Taylor (Mayor) was voted to the chair.

.Mr. McLean briefly addressed the meeting, and the provisions of the Bill were explained by Mr. Maxwell. Mr. Hughes also spoke again. Mr. Maxwell said as representative?, they bad always opposed any project that would result in increased rates; they had been absolutely consistent with that policy. But New Plymouth was determined that sooner or later they would get this money. Consequently when this Hill was introduced he and Mr. McLean had endeavored to get the best terms they could. "Mr. Thomson said he was elected as a representative on a non-borrowing policy, lie was opposed to the proposed Bill. The Bill was innocent-looking, but there was something deep about it. Replying to Mr. Carter as to what was the easiest and cheapest way out of the old loan Mr. 'McLean said' they simply could not get out of it.

Mr. Fryday asked why Waitara should be exempt from the new Bill.— Mr. Thomson said that was to enable the new loan to be. raised on a first mortgage. Mr. Maxwell pointed out that by keeping Waitara in they would leave themselves liable to a %i rate.

Mr. Wilkinsim said be would like to see Upunake district excluded from the Hill and the sinking fund added, which would wipe out the whole loan in, say, <{o vears.

Mr. Marx asked if it were not possible to cut this large amount of the proposed loan down somewhat.—Mr. 1 Maxwell did not think the New Plymouth members would hear of it, as they had already given many concessions.

,* Hon. W. Cameross, as a ratepayer, asked Mr. Hughes if they would not labetter off if they were subject to a rale instead of a%d rate.—Mr Hughes did not think so. because they would lie increasing their indebtedness.

Mr. Wilkinson moved a resolution as follows:—"That (his meeting is in favor of the Bill, providing a substantial Sinking fund is included."

Hon. W. Cat'neross seconded. An amendment was moved by Mr. Marx: —"That this meeting is opposed to the proposed Bill and requests the New Plymouth Harbor Board to take the necessary step'* to replace the. present £135,000 loan by a new loan of similar amount over the same area." iMr. Dive seconded.

The amendment was rejected by Ti against 15, and the motion was carried. The meeting was very lively throughout, and although there were prospects of a "breeze" on more than one occasion, the proceedings terminated —at a late hour—without any unpleasantness.

AT KAPONGA. Mr. Maxwell addressed 40 ratepayers at Kaponga on Thursday. Mr. Allhusen presided. Mr. Richardson asked if in the event of the loan being sanctioned and spent would the Board go on spending the revenue?

Mr. Maxwell said it was move than he could say, but ho assured the ratepayers that £150,000 was more than would be required for harbor improvements.

Mr. C. A. Wilkinson thought a sink: fund should have been provided for in i Bill, with which Mr. Maxwell concurv

stating that a sinking fund would be arranged. Mr. O'N'eil asked if by sanctioning the loan the ratepayers would be exempt from taxation by any other harbor boards, saying Opunake or Waingongoro bad harbors.

Mr. Maxwell replied that he could not say. He informed Mr. O'Neil that il the loan were sanctioned it would light en the present burden of the ratepayer: considerably.

The chairman proposed:—"That t

meeting favors the borrowing of VJiSOO. 000 on the terms embodied in the Bill provided allowance is made for a sinkinf

Mr. Voullaire seconded the proposi lion..

Mr. May moved an amendment:— "That ,€1.50,110(1 l>u borrowed and the Harbor Board's debt paid." The amendment found no seconder, aud the resolution was carried by 3!)

votes to 1.- Abridged from Hawera St: