THE MATAU VALLEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1920, Page 6

THE MATAU VALLEY.

CHANGE OF CONTROL SOUGHT. REFUSED BY STRATFORD COUNTY. At, Saturday's meeting of the Stratford County Council a deputation, consisting of Messrs S. J. Pennington, If. R. Harrison, •). li. Richards, and VV. A. Hewitt waited on the council on behalf of the Matau Ratepayers and Settlers' Association and presented a petition signed by 28 ratepayers in the Matau Valley, asking that the land in the district be transferred from the Clifton County to the Stratford. County. Mr. Kennington said that since the formation of the Inglewood County the Matau Valley had become an odd corner of the Clifton County, and had nothing in common with the rest of that county. The settlers thought it would be much better if they were included in the Stratford County, because there was more community of interest with Stratford than with anywhere, else. The area which it was desired should be included in the Stratford County consisted of 25,000 acres of land, with a little over 25 miles of formed clay roads. None of the roads were metalled at present, and it was desired to have the road metalled from Matau to Kfore station, the ratepayers being willing to raise a loan for this purpose. Mr. Harrison said the stock in the district consisted of 15,035 sheep 'of an estimated value of .-£20,000, IB4C cattle of a value of £11,500, and there were 228 dairy cows at present being milked. About 300 bales of wo; 1 were sent out from the valley each year. The chairman (Or. E. Walter) said he thought the Stratford County was quite large enough at present to be managed. He asked if the deputation thought tlie area would be large enough to make a separate riding. Mr. Kennington thought this could be done. In any case the settlers wished to pay for any benefits they received. After the deputation had withdrawn it, was decided, on the motion of Cr. W. If. Were, seconded by Cr. .f. T. Belcher, that the council could not see its way to grant the ijetitioners' request.