RAHOTU RIDING.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 7

RAHOTU RIDING.

OBJECTION TO RATE. PROTEST BY RATE-PAYERS. '‘That this meeting of Rahotu ratepayers requests the Egmont County Council to take steps to adopt proportional representation on a basis of ward valuation, and that the Council be asked to strike a fair and proportional rate over the whole county/’ were the two resolutions carried unanimously by about seventy rate-payers in the Rahotu Hall on Tuesday night.. The meeting was called for the purpose of protesting against the action of the Egmont Council in levying a rate of *2Ad. over the riding, while the smaller and less financial riding of Oeo escaped with only 2%d. in the £.

Mr. W. Green, one of the convenors, was voted to the chair. Mr. Green said the object was to show the Egmont Council where it was unfair. Objection was also taken to the action of the council in hastily confirming the rates at a special meeting in committee instead of at the usual general meeting. The portion of the overdraft for which the Rahotu riding was responsible in 1921 had been £4119; to-day it was £3980. Geo in 1921 had been liable for £487*2: to-day their overdraft had been assessed at £4602. Whereas Rahotu’s valuation stood at £774,204, Oeo’s was only £506,840. Therefore to place the two ridings on an equal footing the rate over Rahotu riding should be reduced to I id. With a rate of 2|d last year, Oeo had an income of £4745, so that their overdraft had been reduced by a very small amount. Rahotu, on the other hand, with a rate of 2 9/16ths., wrote about £9OO off, yet the council supported the striking of the present unfair rate. He believed councillors were conversant with the position, and could not understand why their representatives had allowed the rate to be confirmed. If they had been proportionally rated and been given fair treatment then Rahotu would be paying and the other end 2%d. The estimates for Oeo’s main roads, antecedent liability, interest, etc., was £5200, without including maintenance of byroads. Who was to pay the difference? A voice: Rahotu! Mr. Green said he had been accused of losing £*2oo for the Kahui Road, but showed this to be incorrect. The late chairman (Mr. W. R. Wright) was to be congratulated upon the stand he had taken in that matter, for, although he had been responsible for getting an amount put on the estimates, the present council had not lifted the money or spent its equivalent. The same applied to the Gape Road. Opua and Opunake had both increased their indebtedness. Opunake collected only £630 in rates, and had one member, wljle Rahotu, paying £BOOO in rates, had only three representatives on the council. This was not proportional, and ratepayers were foolish to put up with such unfair conditions. Mn T. P. Hughson how the ac*

counts and interest were kept for the various ridings. The chairman explained that interest on antecedent liability was a charge upon the whole county, but he understood there was a possibility of the ridings paying their own in the near future

Mr. W. R. Wright said he had just received his rate-card, and expressed great surprise at the amount. He wanted to know why the rate was not confirmed in an open meeting. Mr. A. F. Chapman endorsed the chairman’s remarks. Southern members and the present county chairman had agreed to last years rate. This year, seeing that Rahotu had greater valuation, and Oeo had a larger overdraft, and Oeo’s rate was 2jd compared with Rahotu’s 2Jd, it was obvious that Rahotu’s ratepayers were being asked to meet not only their own but part of Oeo’s liabilities as well. He advocated a uniform rate over the whole county. In reply to Mr. W. Wallaby, the chairman explained that the mileage, of the two ridings was very nearly equal, but this did not greatly affect the question, as Oeo required more money than they raised. The estimates for the proposed tar-sealing loan for main roads had been £BO.OOO, but was opposed on the grounds that ridings could not be taxed any higher. •Councillor M. O’Brien, chairman of the Egmont County Council, in stating the case for the council, said he was present to try to remove some false impressions. The Oeo representatives had suggested that their riding could not pay a rate of 24d, as their by-roads were in good order. The matter was considered, and their rate reduced to 2|d on the understanding that the riding should not receive one penny more than they raised. The two main roads would absorb most of the rate, leaving just sufficient to cover other liabilities. Their by-roads would get little or nothing. This could not be done in Rahotu and other ridings. The rate, as now made, must stand. One penny halfpenny in the £ was required for interest, permanent charges, etc., leaving Id to be spent on Rahotu and on Oeo. When this money was spent in that proportion, where, he asked, was the grievance? Oeo’s overdraft was included in the antecedent liability, and interest on it would be paid. Oeo had an overdraft of £4602, Rahotu £3980. Opua £3297 and Opunake £224 to make up the £1*2,500 liability. Sundry small charges were included. When he had been appointed chairman the bank had requested that the liability bo paid off. but as the Opunake power board had an offer of £20.000 for investment, ho had arranged with the bank to extend the loan over a period of fifteen years. Had this not been done all rates might have been impounded. Road work would go on all the time, but the council did not intend to unduly press for payment of rates. There was no other county with such good terms at the bank. He had originated the scheme, and took most of the credit. A voice: Yon will be paying 6A or 7 per cent, for fifteen years, and the biyik rate is dropping. Continuing. Councillor O’Brien said the yearly instalment was £BOO, plus interest on the balane. and was spread over fifteen years. Although operating Under such favorable terms, the coun-

ty's position was still somewhat difficult, so he had proposed a motion the effect that the antecedent liability of the county be apportioned among the various ridings in the proportion of their indebtedness. The Rahotu valuation was large, but it was to be remembered that the territory was also large. The council intended to pursue a vigorous policy, and many contracts had already been let. A special bridge loan would be asked for, but would not be a great burden, as repayment would be spread over a considerable period. The shed lately erected at Opunake had been long overdue as a means of protecting valuable machinery, and would be very complete. The cost, however, would be extra, and he asked that any work not absolutely* necessary be left over so as to save money. He was satisfied that the Egmont County compared very favorably with others in New Zealand, and appealed to those present to put aside thoughts of severing their riding and to stick by the county.

In reply to the chairman, he stated that £2OO was granted for Kahui Road. Tenders costing £4OO were accepted, but when they came to lift the grant the Minister refused. Six weeks ago the council had received notification that the money was again available, and the work would be completed as soon as possible. The chairman (Mr. Green) ridiculed the .statement that Oeo could let her byroads go for a whole year without any expenditure, and reiterated his contention that interest and antecedent liability came out of county funds.

In reply to Mr. Wright, Councillor O’Brien said the special meeting confirming the rate was held in accordance witli an Act of Parliament. To Mr. Hughson, he said road accounts qould be kept separate and proportional representation would be granted if ratepayers so desired. With regard to a published report concerning (lie state of the Puniho Road finances, the position was that while Egmont owed for contributions the Taranaki County were in arrears with a contra claim for interest. To Mr. Chapman he said they were not compelled to keep road accounts, but, it was sometimes done for the satisfaction of settlers. It was in ratepayers’ own interests that he proposed to wipe out these accounts. A voice: You are absolutely sidetracking. Mr. Wright wished to know how it was that the county's overdraft had only been reduced from £14,000 to £12.500 when Rahotu alone had contributed £BOOO a year, only a tithe of which had been spent on the riding. Asked by the chairman why Rahotu was inted higher than Oeo, Air. O'Brien said he had favored Oeo because there was a l possibility of that riding severing from ! the Egmont County. Me acted in what | he believed to be the best interests of Egmont County. i In explaining his attitude on the council, Mr. Gibson said the special I meeting was called in strict accordance with the law. The rate had been struck much later than usual, but he had opposed the Oeo reduction tooth and nail. At the confirming meeting ho had again protested, but owing to the cost of changing had allowed the rate to pass. Antecedent liability must, b' Act. be naid off year by year, and thie detracted from maintenance and con-

struction estimates. The one representative from Opunake was provided by law. Mr. T. P. Hughson then moved the first resolution, which was carried without dissent, and Mr. W. Green the second, which was also unanimous. The meeting, which opened with the display of a good deal of hostile feeling, and in the course of which there were numerous interjections, ended peacefully, votes of thanks being accorded to the chairman, the conveners of the meeting, and Councillors O’Brien and Ferguson, who attended from the southern end.