TOWNSHIP OF AROWHENUA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1483, 23 March 1886, Page 2

TOWNSHIP OF AROWHENUA.

A public meeting, convened by Mr Edgeler, was held at Bellgrove Cottage, the residence of Mr Edgeler, last Saturday evening, about 33 parsons being present. Mr E. Lee was voted to the chair, and after reading the advertisement calling the meeting, explained that the object in view was to consider the advisability of constituting the township into a Town District. He called on Mr Edgeler to explain his views on the question. Mr Edgeler said ha had called the meeting together to consider the question of constituting a Town District. The boundaries would be the same as the present township. With regard to financial matters, he had ascertained there was £346 to come to them from sales of deferred payment sections, and this would give them a good start. There would also be a lot of reserves that would bring in a revenue to them, and that would be another advantage. There were 21 acres of reserves altogether, and

there was wore than the £346 to come. There was £3OOO worth of land sold, and as they were entitled to 25 per cent, of that, that would mean £750. There were 100 sections yet unsold, and they would get the 25 per cent, of that alio, if they lot this money go it would be lost to them for ever. It was not ambition made him take this step, but he believed that it would be to their advantage to have a Town Board of their own, and bo their own masters. The £346 would make all their roads, and it would not be necessary for them to impose any heavy tax upon themselves. Mr Rolleston told him to let them give the money to the Road Board, and let the Road Board make the roads for them; but ha said they wanted the money spent amongst themselves and by themselves. If it came only to £1 a piece, that would buy 50 loaves of bread, and would be a great assistance to them. The Road Board would be a rotten stick to lean on. They had not made two miles of road in the place yet, and had not shingled one. Mf Rolleston had told him the Road Board got only £2 of the 25 per cent, of the money realised from sales of deferred payment sections, so it must be all to come yet. Then they would have their dog collars, and lie believed their present rates would amount to about £3i) a year. They need not give more than £3O a year to 1 heir clerk, and they would have about £4O to spend. That was more than tbo Rom! Board would spend with-thera. Mr King wished to know whether they would be independent of Temuka, or would they be mixed up with it ? Mr Jtdgeler said they would have nothing to do with Temuka. Mr Fletcher wanted to know whether there was any fear of the Road Board stepping in and taking th* money. Mr Canard Raid that Mr Rolleston warned them to get the money al once, for fear they would lose it. The following letter from Mr Rolleston was then read J—- “ Christchurch, March 9th, 1886. “Dear Sir, —l have been to the Land Office to see Mr Baker about the question of constituting the Arowhenua Village Settlement a Town District. He is away at present, but I ascertained that the expenditure of one-third of the moneys arising from the deferred payment see* tions within the settlement has never been made the subject of a resolution of the Waste Lands Board, aa it ought to hive been. I found further that Mr Baker’s letter to you did net tell you all that will have to be done to get a Town District. By the Counties Act of 1885 you will have to get your petition confirmed by the County Council. My own view would be that it would be well to have a meeting with the Chairman of the Road Board and County Council, uid ascertain what he would be prepared to do. I have written to Wellington to ask how the matter stands about the deferred payment moneys, and I will see Mf Baker on his return. 1 shall be coming back next week and will then come and see you about the matter. I shall be glad to do what I can to help forward a solution of the difficulty,—l am, etc., “ W. Eolikston.

“ Mr Edgeler, “Bellgrove Cottage, Arowhsnua.” Mr Edgeler said that since then Mr Rolleston bud written to Wellington, and received a telegram stating that there was £346 to come to them. There was more to come, and Mr Rolleston was expecting another telegram every day. When Mr Rolleston got the telegram he would forward it to him (Mr Edgeler), and b« would make ita contents known to them. The Chairman said if they did not help themselves no one would help them. It was no use for them to depend on tho Road Board, The member* of the Road Board worked for their own benefit* They had now no one to represent them on the Road Board, and if this money went into the Road Board it would be spent in outljing districts. Their best plan was to canvass the town, and see whether the people wtre agreeable to making it into a Town District. In making their own roads they would reap a benefit from tho money, and if they had to rate themselvss they would take more interest in local mattars. The sooner they began the better. Ha would be in favor of a Town Board, and h* would help it in every possible way, as ho thought it would be a good thing to try to keep the money in the place. Mr Fletcher was afraid they would have to amalgamate with Temuka, and then their by-laws would not suit them. It would be very easy to form their own roads, and if they got the renti from tho reserves ho had no doubt but they could get on well. He believed there was no money corning, as the Road Hoard must have receiver that already.

Mr Cunard said he hud seen the telegram Mr Eolleston had received, and that there ceuld be no doubt of the money being there. Mr Rolleston also told him that under the new Municipal Corporations Act they could go in with Temuka, and the Borough could bo divided into wards, and they would have their own representatives. He told him they would be better off by having a Town Board of their own. The Chairman said there would be some expense in getting it. He did not think they need be afraid of the Temuka by-laws, because they would never extend them to their township, Mr W. Wyatt proposed—“ That this meeting deems it advisable to bring the township of Arowhenuc under the provisions of the Town Districts Act 1881 Amendment Act 1883.” Mr Cunard seconded the motion. Mr Washington said it was better for them to understand what they were doing. They were just giving a handle to the people of Temuka to do as they pleased with them. His belief was that it would mean to give themselves over to Temuka. As soon as this went to the Governmeat they would ask whether there were men competent to sit on the Board in the place, and the result would bo they would be thrown over to Temuka. Mr Edgeler said there was no use talkingof Temuka. They had been going on for two years there, and the other day their by-laws were upset in a Court of Justice. Temuka, indeed 1 If they could not do better than them they would do very badly. Mr F&wdray said there was no doubt mistakes were frequently made, and they would make mistakes also; but he believed there were men suitable for the position in the town, and that they would get on as well as Temuka did. Mr Neville wished to know whether they could get a guarantee that they would be completely free from Temuka, and that they would have nothing to do with it. The Chairman said there would be no connection whatever between them. Mr Vallender wished to know whether they would get anything from the Road Board. Temuka got £IOO when it separated, Why should they not get something 1 The Chairman explained that the Road Board had money to its credit in the Bank then, but that woa all gone now. They might probably get a Government subsidy, and with the £346 to start with, and no great expense, they would be able to get on. The motion was then put, when 20 hands were held up for it and none against it, and it was declared carred. A few abstained from voting. After some further discussion, the following resolution, proposed by Mr W. Davison, seconded by Mr T. King, was also carried— 1 “ That the Committee be appointed to take the necessary steps to give effect to the previous resolution ; also to ascertain what amount of money is likely to bo received from Government on account of deferred payment sections sales, the Committee to consist cf Messrs Lee, Fletcher, Vallender, Edgeler, Cunard, Pawdray, Boulter, E. King, Frew, and Wyatt.” On ths motion of Mr Edgeler, seconded by Mr Robinson, Mr J. W, Boulter was appointed Secretary pro tetn, Mr Edgeler proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and to Mr Twomey for the information he had given them. It was carried by acclamation. .Mr Vallender proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Edgeler for the trouble he had taken in the matter. This was also carried, and the meeting terminated.