TOLL-GATES OPPOSED.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1921, Page 8

TOLL-GATES OPPOSED.

A MEETING AT WAREA, SECESSION FROM COUNTY HINTED. There was an attendance of about 50 ratepayers at a meeting in the Wa”ea Hall last night to discuss the Egmont County Council’s proposal to erect tollgates. Mr. 11. Corbett, who presided, said he expected to see some of the riding representatives of the council at the meeting. He considered the site where they proposed to erect the toll-gates was unsuitable, being too close to the Taranaki Co'unty gate. This portion of the district was not represented on the Egmont County, the nearest member being at Rahotu. He thought if revenue was wanted more could be obtained by erecting the gate near Opunake. The toll would not be paid by the owners of the motor lorries, hut would be passed on tj the farmers. Mr. W. Caldwell, who convened the meeting, said he had since received a letter from Mr. W. R. Wright, asking that the meeting should be postponed, as a deputation had waited upon him in regard to merging the Rahotu Riding into the Taranaki County. Mr. Fawcett asked if they would be any better off by merging. Mr. H. L. Chapman said it would be advisable to look carefully into the question before merging, as he understood the Rahotu Riding was rated at 29-16 d on the improved value, whereas Taranaki was rated at 5d on the unimproved value. Whatever county they were in, mbney had to be found for road maintenance. At present he favored striking a rate in preference to erecting toll-gates, as he doubted very much if it affected the proposal by making the outsider pay.* Personally, he considered that the present ratepayers would pay four-fifths of the revenue. Mr. Caldwell said, that many people who did not have to pay toll’did not care where the site was. Personally he thought that was a wrong view. It was a question as to whether the tollgate was desirable or not. He asked if the council could erect the gate if the majority of the ratepayers objected. Mr. Donoghoe suggested that the Government be asked to prohibit its erection. Mr. Chapman said revenue must be found in some way. At present he favored a higher rate. On his motion a committee, consisting of Messrs. H. N. Chapman, W. C. Caldwell, P. Brophy’ Joseph Lawn, H. Donald, A. J. Lilly I adn R. Julian was appointed to obtain information and convene a further meeting. At a subsequent .meeting of the committee Mr. P. Brophy was elected chairman and Mr. Caldwell secretary. It was decided to ask representatives °/ arana k.i an <l Egmont County Councils to attend the next meeting, which is to be called prior to the next meeting of the Egmont County Council.