THE OMATA RIDING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 183, 7 September 1909, Page 4

THE OMATA RIDING

KAITAKE COUNTY OPPOSED. At yesterday's meeting the Countv Council received Messrs D. McAllum and J. Crockett as a deputation from the ratepayers in the Omata district. Mr. McAllum stated that the voting at the recent ratepayer*' meeting at Oma'.a had been against the inclusion of the Omata district in the proposed new Kaitake county, and the ratepayers wished the Council to raise every opposition to the scheme. They also asked the Council to proceed wilh the constitution of the new riding, h* decided at last meeting. Mr, MeAKum said that Vne deputation from the Kaitake county people, speaking at Omata, had promised them a riding of their own, just as they were to get now from the Taranaki county, but, to use n well-known quotation, they preferred "the devil they knew." Or. Carter said it was reiported that the new riding, when 'formed, would merge into tiie Kaitake county when opportunity ollered. This Mr. McAllum denied emphatically. The deputation withdrew. Cr. Allanson said there was no doubt that the Omata. people were strongly again3t inclusion in the proposed Kaitake county, and had no intention of joining in either now or later on. Cr. Andrews said it was useless to discuss the point. A poll of the ratepayers would have to be taken before the Omata people could 1)0 included.

Cr. Carter pointed out this was not so. If the Kill went through, it would take effect even 'before the new riding proposed. From a county point of view, it would he hotter to have the new riding that a ww and separate county. The chairman said that the deputation wanted the Council to take all active steps to oppose the formation of a new- county, and that meant that th| Council must scud someone to give evidence before the Local Bills Committee. Cr. Andrews asked, and was as6urcd that he was wrong in bis idea that the Bill could not be brought forward without a poll of the ratepayers being first taken.

Tn the discussion, Cr. Andrews said he understood tlie promoter* would not entrust any of the local members with the llilkCr. Carter: That's a 'weak point. The chairman was authorised to take all necessary steps to oppose the inclusion of th?. (proposed new riding in the Kaitake county, and it was decided to a<sk Messrs Okey, Jenijings and Hine, IJ.P.'s. to support this Council in its objections.

Tltli NEW HIDING. Tlie new riding of the county, comprising tlie Barrett, Ujijier IlurfoVd, and Omata rond districts, was then constituted. This district retains the nainO of the Omata riding, ami the remainder will be known as the Okuto riding.