COUNTY OR BOROUGH?

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1922, Page 6

COUNTY OR BOROUGH?

RATEPAYERS DISSATISFIED. HIGH AATES OBJECTED TO. As the outcome of dissatisfaction among ratepayers of the Frankley, Carrington and Mangorei districts in connection with county matters, especially the extremely high rates levied by the council on this district, and the badly neglected state of the roads, a well* attended meetng of settlers was held in Carrintgon schoolroom on Saturday evening. Many instances alleging neglect and mismanagement were brought to light, the action in connection vrith the stone lying on Carrington Road during the last three years being strongly commented upon. It was stated that during the last ten years or so the rates have mounted higher and higher, until at the present time in many instances they amount to quite a big rental in themselves, cases of rates amounting to £1 per acre being cited. It was urged that in view of the new valuations, which must shortly take effect, some strong effort should be made to alter conditions.

Figures quoted showed that a great saving could be effected by joining the borough of New Plymouth, thia move being strongly advocated by Messrs. L. Hill, C. Allen and others, while Nessrs. Binnie, Chant, Farmer and others favored the formation of a separate riding of the county on the lines of the old Huiwatu riding, with the addition of the Upper 'Mangorei district. A committee, comprising Messrs. Hill, Binnie and Baker, was appointed to confer with the New Plymouth Borough Council and also to seek further information to put before a subsequent meeting to be held at an early date, when the various proposals will be more fully discussed.