NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 165, 3 July 1908, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BILL.

MlibTLNli AT KAI'O.NGA. Ml!. DAS HUGHES COM VERTED. {By Our Special Reporter). There were over 70 present at Mr.j Maxwell's meeting at Kuponga on Wednesday evening. Mr. \V. Swadling was voted to the chair.

-Mr. Maxwell, in lii.s opening remarks, stntcd lit? intended to avoid all perSou-i alilta; lirst, because, at Manaia tome of tlie points iu (liU'ei-ence or dispute btf<, tween Air. Marx and himself had been, , settled. 111'. Marx liud acknowledged j error in one, and sonic others lwd been I explained away. He went on to say that no object was to be gained in spending time Over that aspect of the affair. Ilia main object in addressing the ratepayers was to let them 'hnviy full information on the Bill from point of view, so that they v.'tyrfl be able to form a just opinion.,.-fie would therefore confine him self- to explaining the main clauses of jJiC Bill, comparing it with the present-Act and particularly pointing out under the recent dischijjrrt's. lie went on to say that afU'f covering the ground outlined he w/o'hed Mr. Marx and Mr. flushes., jwth of whom lie was glad were present, to address the meeting, as his only desire was that llie ratepayers should have the. fullest passible information. Mr. Maxwell, in 'if -vigorous address, on iines sijjiilar to t'li.nt delivered at Okaiuwa the previous evening, particularly dealt with the liability, or' rather non-liability, of the ratepayers under the new Bill. Detailing very fulJy the great value of (he ear-marked source.-' of income for payment of interest and sinking fund, and showing clearly that not only was there no possible 'chance of any deficiency in the trust account, but a certain very large surplus which would go to tlie sinking fund, and redeem the whole loan within, at the very most, thirty years. He stated that the more information ho received the more valuable the land fund was proved to be—an immensely rich endowment. He went on to say that tlie further lie W'cnt into the matters, and the question was thrashed out, the more absolutely convinced he was that under the Bin the ratepayers would be placed in a most excellent and perfectly Sale position. Mr. McLean and lie' had done their utmost to secure everv possible .justice and safeguard for the ratepayers in the Bill, and thought, they had covered all the ground, but Mr.'Marx had made a very valuable Suggestion at Manaia in a direction that the Board had already acknowledged in principal . by resolution, but had not thought of embodying in-the Bill, which Mas Mr Marx's suggestion, lie (Mr. Maxwell) whose only desire was to obtain a complete and just measure for all parties heartily accepted Mr Marx's suggestion, and lie intended dealing with it in a resolution he would move later on. Mr. Marx then spoke, going over, as at previous meetings, his objections' to the Bill but stated tl.at the additions to the Bill suggested by him would lake the shng out of the measure, and formed a basis of compromise which lie tho'i'di! might result in all parties pullm* "together. Mr. Hughes spoke, and went further, stating his determination to support the Bill, whatever Mr. Marx or others did. it' the suggested additions were made as stated. The first was what he all alonehad contended for. Mr. King, who happened to be preseni. was asked (<, speak, and clid so. dealing chie!!y with (he trade and aeeomniodalion for ocean boats aspect of (he matter, showing the great saving that could be made on direct imports. After various questions had been asked and answered, Mr. Maxwell very shortly replied, and moved the follmv- ; ing resolution:—''That this mectim; <>}' ratepayers, having heard full particulars of the provisions of the New Plymouth Harbor Bill, is in favor of it being passed with additions thereto in the direction of providing that the aii.-n comprised in the third schedule lie exempted from auv further liability to that provided in the Bill, and providing for (he extension of (he prcseu( powers for (lie division of (he rating district into wards, so that periodical adjustments of boundaries according to valuation can be made." On Ihe motion being put, it was no (icciible (hat of many hitherto strong opponents several abstained from voting at all, whilst some voted for the Bill. The show of hands counted 20 for (he Bill and only one against. A vole of thanks to the chairman terminate,.! a inos( enlliiisi.-isliy and s.-ilis-faclory meeting, which would, as far as one could judge, seem to have finally dissolved all opposition to the Hill. 'I his was (he last of the series of meetings recently called, the Hill bavins been, carried at all: liiverlea, Mimai.i. Okinawa, and Kaponga.