MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1795, 27 September 1888, Page 2

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Belfield Schoolroom on Monday evening last for the purpose of receiving the report of the Committee appointed at the meeting held at Orari on September Ist to enquire generally into the necessity, or otherwise, of forming a Board of Conservators for the north bank of the Orari, above the railway bridge. Public interest in this question has grown apace since the proposition was first made, and the meeting held on Monday last was a large and thoroughly representative one. Settlers from many miles round were present. It was plainly evident, however, that the majority of them were decidedly averse to the forming of such a Board. Mr Badbam, one of the Committee appointed, occupied the chair, and proceeded to read the report drawn up as follows: “ Report of Cmmittee on the question of formiog a Board of Conservators for the North Bank of Orari. “ Gentlemen, We, the committee appointed by the ratepayers of the north bank of the Orari, having examined the bank of the river as far as Ashby’s, a distance of about 18 miles from the sea, beg to report that we found eight places that needed protection, and one place at the head of Cooper’s Creek that was extra dangerous. We, therefore, advise the ratepayers to form a Board of Conservators for the purpose of attending to this dangerous place, and also to assist and encourage those ratepayers who strive to protect themselves at the other bad places. To do the whole works would take more money than we would advise the Board to raise, and we therefore recommend that whatever protection worksshould qe done the necessary funds be raised direct from the rateable value of the property, and not by borrowed money. The amount we estimate can be raised will be from £l5O to £IBO per annum, and this amount we think will strengthen the most dangerous place, which threatens the whole district.”

> Mr Badhatn said that to protect the eight dangerous places spoken of would mean at least £SOOO. If the Committee had any security that the protective works when put up would •be a permanency, they would have advised the ratepayers to borrow the money for their erection. The Committee, however, had no such security. The first fresh might wash half the works away, and the river would run where it had been before. The Committee- had, therefore, advised that these, dangerous places should be protected by means of the ratp§

alone. [Mi? Badham then proceeded to point out upon the map the boundaries the Committee had proposed, remarking at the [same time that such boundaries could be altered even if the Board were formed. The boundaries proposed are as follow: — Starting from the east corner of R.S, No. 13,901, it follows the Canal road till it comes to Rolleston’s road; thence it runs in an easterly direction towards LeCren’s corner, then up Macdonald’s road as far as the Main South road. Here it takes in Griffiths’ and Fitzgerald’s section, and follows up the north bank of Cooper’s Creek.] Mr Woulfe spoke against the formation of the Board. The promoters should have confined their operations to the lower side of the railway bridge. He contended that the proposal had been made in the interests of large land-holders below the bridge. Mr Bartrum said there was a great deal of force in what Mr Ashby had said in his letter to the previous meeting. The railway authorities would no doubt protect the railway bridge. The Road Board were also doing all they could to keep the traffic bridge secure, and, of course, in doing that they were securing the property along the river. He had spoken to many in the district, and they thought that by having to pay a rate their property would be depreciated in value. The tax seemed to be a heavy one, and might possibly amount to 4|d in the £ during the year. They would- be paying money merely to protect the properties of wealthy men further down the river. He was sure the ratepayers would rather let a few asres of land be washed away than have to bear a heavy tax. He was certainly opposed to a Board being formed." He had also spoken to Mr Dennistoun, who had expressed himself as decidedly opposed to the proposal. He moved— 1 That this meeting considers it inadvisable to form a Board of Conservators for the north bank of the Orari River above the railway bridge.” (Applause.) Mr C. Hewson seconded the motion.

Letters were also read from Messrs W. Palmer, junr., and McGKllicuddy, expressing their opposition to a Board being formed. Mr Murray said he wished to remove the impression that seemed to have got abroad that the Bank of New Zealand was in any way connected with him in this matter. He had moved in it entirely upon his own responsibility, and solely for the benefit of the public. The Bank of New Zealand had nothing to do with the estate he managed, nor yet with this proposal to form a Board of Conservators. He. simply wished to make this explanation so as to correct any erroneous impressions that had got about.

Mr 0. Hewson said he had been upon the Orari about as long as any person in the room. There was no more chance of the Orari coming down Cooper’s creek now than there was when he first settled in the district. That was a very lame excuse to bring forward. As for the land that had beon carried away between the hills and Palmer’s, there had been very little, while there had been about £3OO spent in protection works that were not worth a snap of his finger. (Cheers), Mr Ashby agreed with Mr Hewson as to the danger of the river coming dewn Cooper’s Creek. He contended that the railway authorities must protect the railway bridge. The Chairman said that the Committee were all strongly of opinion that the great danger was at Cooper’s Creek. After some further conversation Mr Bartrum’s motion was put and carried almost unanimously amid loud cheering, and the meeting terminated after passing the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.