DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 300, 13 May 1911, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

TIKORANGI. ' (From Our Own Correspondent). Taihoa! The proud distinction of bein" the chief exponent of a "taihoa" policy, as far as rating native lands is concerned, no longer belongs to the Hon. J. Carroll, his mantle having been assumed by the Clifton County Council, and, judging by recent events, that body will, with a little more experience, completely eclipse the reputation of the Acting-Premier as a past master in the art of procrastination. Those who are conversant with local affairs will readily understand the reason for the dilatory methods of the council and its evident reluctance to avail itself of the powers conferred by the Eating Amendment Act, and, "lest we forget," it may be perhaps as well to again publish the clause, which, with Job-like patience, ratepayers in the Clifton County are watching and waiting for the council to put into operation. "In the case of native land, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the principal Act, if there is no occupier thereof within the meaning of the Act other than the owner, then the person who is in actual occupation thereof shall be deemed to he the occupier for all the purposes of the principal Act and of this Act whether he occupies the land by virtue of a tenancy for a fixed period, or at will, or otherwise, howsoever or whether his occupation thereof is lawful or unlawful." In the face of this clause, which is couched in such clear and unmistakable language that its purpose can not possibly be misunderstood, some members of" the council affect to still have doubts as to whether rates can be received from the many European occupiers of native lands in this county. It is, however, extremely gratifying toi know thnt the contentions repeatedly expressed in these notes are supported! and substantiated by a Minister of the/ Crown. For, stung into action by the able, if severe, criticism which appeared in your leader columns some time] ago, the Clifton County Council has ap-. pealed to "Cnesar" in the person of the Hon. R. McKcnzie. The honorable gen- , tleman's reply, clear and distinct, was that if these lands were used, either by European or native, then the council would have n<> difficulty whatever in recovering the rates. It is to he hoped that tin 1 council will now recognise its duty anil push the matter lo its conclusion n-ihout any further delay. The annual meeting of parishioners in connection with St. Luke's Church was held on Monday evening, the Rev. C. F. Harrison presiding. The statement of accounts as presented by the minister's warden. Captain Armstrong, was adopted. Captain Armstrong intimated that owing to ill-health and advancing years • he was giving up all his offices in nection with the church. Licensed as a lay reader in 1870, Captain Armstrong has until quite recently regularly conducted Divine Service at Tikorangi, and In- was also for many years the respected superintendent of the Sunday School. The intimation that he was retiring from active work, although not altogether unexpected, was received with very great regret, and on the motion of Mr. Jas. Foreman it was resolved: "That this meeting of parishioners desires to express its high appreciation of the services rendered by Captain Armstrong to the Anglican Church in Tikorangi since the very early days of settlement until now, when failing health necessitates his retirement from active church work." Mr. Jas. Foreman i was appointed as minister's warden, and Mr. J. Hine, jun., was elected . parishioners' warden. Mrs. Armstrong, 1 Misses Kaull and Foreman and Messrs. Faull, Rolfe, Surrey and Snell were, • with the wardens, elected a committee , for the ensuing year. i The cabled advice of another rise in wool is most gratifying, for although i this is primarily a dairying district, yet . many of our settlers have small flocks and are possibly as keenly interested as any wool king. It would seem as if our public men consider that the chief programme of , office is that they may evade the dues and obligations imposed by law on humbler mortals. The Minister of Public Works flouts the law by refusing , to pay toll, and democracy proceeds I forthwith to banquet him. If the laws . of heredity count for anything, the New Zealahder of a generation or so hence ' will cease to walk erect. The concert and dance promoted by ( the library committee was held on i Thursday evening, and, as usual, was i most successful. A good programme i was submitted, an innovation being the part taken by the local school children, i The vocalists were the Misses Pearce. ' Elliot, Jones and Trim, and Messrs. . Beckbcssinger and Farmer, from WaiI tara. and local talent was represented by Miss Vosper and Mr. Ripton, whilst I the children taking part were Connie I Foreman, Ida Terrill, Clarice Smart, Ida Foreman, Myra West, Alf. Allen, L. Jones, 11. O'Carroll, H. Hine and Ivan Vickery, The dance was well attended, I and excellent music was gratuitously supplied by Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Russell, | for which the committee desire to express their sincere thanks.