WHO IS TO BLAME?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 228, 20 January 1911, Page 3

WHO IS TO BLAME?

A MINISTER BLAMED.

THE PUNTWHAKAU CLOU) TUT.-T

The discussion on the matter of assisting settlers affected by the cloud-burst at Puniwhakau, east 'of Stratford, in December, took an .unexpected turn at the Stratford County Council meei:in«- on Wednesday, members complaining of the niggardliness of the Government, and also that the Minister of Public Works had been guilty of discourtesy to the Council.

Mr. W. S. Short, Assistaiil-l"nder-S'ee-rctary of the Public. Works Department, wrote under date of January i) that as tha result of representations made by Mr. Hine, M.P.. urging that assistance b'e granted the Council 'for the purpose of repairing flood damage in the Puniwhafcau district, due enquiry had been made, and the Minister had authorised a sum of £2OO to assist the Council. Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., wrote under date of January 14, enclosing a letter from Hon. R. McKenzie to the above etfecf. Mr. Hine stated that the amount did not eome up to his hopes, but would no doubt be. acceptable to the Council, and on hehalf of the settlers upon whose request lie had made application for aid he had written thanking the Minister for the £2OO.

_ The chairman, who had gone to Wellington with a petition from the settlers asking for assistance on the matter, reported that he was unable to interview the Minister, as although an appointment had been made on Friday, January 13 the Minister departed for'the South the previous day. Mr. Marchant had serious thoughts of following him, but desisted on being informed that £2OO had been granted through Mr. Mine. Cr. Thompson thought it was outrageous that the Government should offer such a paltry sum. They could forward £SOOO for the relief of those injured by earthquake in naly, and yet when settlers were locked in by a cloud-burst—an occurrence, they could not prevent—and damage amounting to £I3OO had been caused, all the Government would oii'cr was a miserable £2OO.

On being informed that the land in the vicinity was all held on the L.I.P. tenure. Cr. Thomson said it was practically all Government land. His feelings on the subject were so strong that if it were his own he would-"chuck" the money back at them.

Considerable comment rose from the fact that the Minister had fa.iled to keep his appointment with the chairman. Cr. Walters said the Minister must have overlooked the Appointment. Cr. Maxwell said if it were, a deliberate slight he would resent it strongly. Possibly the persuasive powers of the chairman were so well known that tTi.Minister felt that if he got at him he would secure too much, and so lie lied from the scene.

Cr. Thomson thought the Council should telegraph the Minister, and point out the apparent neglect in kecpini: the appointment, and stating that the Council felt slighted over the matter; also asking the Minister to re-consider the grant, pointing out how the settlers were locked in and also that the land was L.I.P. and practically Government land. He did not think the matter should bo allowed to rest. Cr. Maxwell said it would be as well to open the position by asking the Minister if it were due to any fault'of the County Council that the appointment was not kept. If he said it was not, then the question would be, Whose fault was it? Personally, he would have no confidence in a Minister who intentionally acted so.

Cr. Hathaway thought the Minister had failed to keep the appointment purposely. He did not want to meet the chairman.

The chairman said he did not think this was so.

The other councillors were also of opinion that the Hon, R. McKonzic. was not a man who was afraid to meet anybody.

Cr. Porritt moved that (he Council write expressing regret at the appointment not being kept, and stating that the Council does not consider £2OO sufficient.

C'r. Maxwell did not believe in confusing the two questions, but should ask why the appointment was not kept.

The chairman stated that he did not wish to comment on the matter, and nud written his report.

C'r. Maxwell moved that the clerk wire to the Minister and ask, "Was the failure of the Minister to Keep the appointment on Friday, 18th inst., due to any fault of the County Council?" At the suggestion of the chairman, the words "or the chairman" were added. Cr. Christoffe! seconded this motion, ■which was carried unanimously.

The question of raising the balance of money necessary to replace the damage was then discussed. The chairman said it could be done in two ways, either by special rate or by special loan. The former way would come very heavy on the present holders, and it appeared to him it would be wiser to borrow, ffhe Council could fix a rating area, but could not fix a loan area. The settlers would ! have to agree to this themselves. Cr. Porritt asked if it were possible to use the Government grant of £2OO on the road, and to ask the Government for a special grant for the bridges. Some discussion ensued, and it was resolved that Crs. Porritt and Maxwell confer at the luncheon adjournment, and draft a resolution. On resuming, Cr. Maxwell moved that a separate rate be levied for two years

over the £9OOO loan area to provide £llOO for repairing the damage to the

Mangaehu and Puniwhakau roads.—Cr. Thomson seconded and the motion was carried. A meeting of settlers interested will be held at Tututawa.

A motion by Cr. Maxwell that; tlio Minister of Public Works lip again requested to consider the question was carried, and it will he represented to the Minister that the damage is estimated at €IS(M), and that for the settlers to find the balance of £llOO would be a very severe hardship.

(Jr. Marfcll moved that the Council should assist these settlers by making a grant of £2OO out of the general fund.

Cr. Walters seconded, but other councillors were not in favor, and the motion was lost, only the mover, seconder and Cr. Maxwell voting in its favor.