WAITOHI FLAT WATER SUPPLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2275, 3 November 1891, Page 4

WAITOHI FLAT WATER SUPPLY.

A meeting of settlers in the Waitolv FI at Water Suoply 'District was held at the Schoolroom, Waitohi Flat, on Friday evening. There was a goou attendance. Mr John Talbot, memhe; of the County Council, was deputed by that body to preside, and, having read the advertisement convening the meeting, proceeded to say that they were met to consider the proposal of the Geraldine County Council to borrow the sum of £3OOO for the purpose of constructing irrigation works within the Waitohi Flat Water Supply District. As they were aware, the meeting was called to rectify omissions and errors that arose after the poll was taken last time. The proposal was then carried, and the Geraldine County Council at once proceeded with the work. Through an error in the description of the district, the Council found they could not borrow the money. Further, after the work was commenced others applied to be included in the district. Either of these causes would have been enough to have debarred the Council from borrowing the money. He read the following letter dealing with the aiibject:— “ Sir, —ln reply to your letter of the loth nit., I am directed to inform you taat tae Colonial Treasurer is now advisa-1 taat as the poll of tae ratepayers taken included only taoae of tae original Waitohi Flat Water Supply District ant not of tae present enlarge.! dhtri. t, an I as tae special order confirmed by your council on tae 13th May last states taat tae proposed £3OOO loan is for tae purpose of coastru ting special public works within sueh portion or district exclusively, it will bo necessary before the loan can be made for a fresh poll of the ratepayers of the enlarged district to be taken, and a fresh special, order made, making the rate on all properties within the enlarged district made by special order of your council of the 12th ultimo, for the purpose of providing interest and other charges on loan. —I have, etc., “John B. Heywood, *• Secretary to Treasury.” The meeting that night had simply to rectify the error made. There was no fresh sum to bo borrowed. All that was necessary was for the meeting to reaffirm the resolution originally arrived at. The council regretted that any such course Was necessary, but mistakes would happen. He had no doubt, however, that the ratepayers would assist the council in the matter. He might tell them that the sum had practically been granted, and the general funds of the council pledged for the purpose. It would be a very serious matter if any hitch occurred now that the work was practically completed and the water turned over the whole of the district. He had heard all sorts of rumors, but was sure the ratepayers of Waitohi Flat would not act in any dishonorable way. It had been said that the races, were made, and the council would have to keep them running. This was not the case ; the council would not be able to do any such thing. As far as he could hear, the ratepayers were very well satisfied. Practically, every ratepayer had been considered, and the engineers had done the work well. Of ourse, as usual, the water would go through the main races first; later the sub-races would be supplied. It was open for ratepayers to be supplied by loop races where required. The meeting was a purely formal one, but he would be glad to give those present every information in his power if there was any matter they desired information upon. The average rainfall was only about 24 inches. This would not allow any water to run off the ground, and it would be impossible to ensure the maintenance of dams and so forth. He could not tell them the exact state of the account, but ai far as he knew, the sura of £3OOO would be ample for the completion of the work.

implying to Mr Fraser, the chairman Slid he was not there as the representative of the chairman of the county council. He had asked Mr Quinn to be present and act as chairman, as he was the representative of the riding, but he was unable to come. Mr Fraser said he would like to know the sum total of expenditure. Mr Stubbs, clerk of the county council, said the coat up to the present was about £2300, or thereabouts. Replying to Mr Fraser, the chairman said the council could not expend the m may without authority. The council, on. the' strength of the last poll, had commenced the works, and it was only after the money was voted that the council had acted. If they acted illegally it was only to endeavor to meet the wishes of' the ratepayers. The council had no interest, as a body, in the watersupply. He was not there to answer who would have to pay for the water if the pell was adverse. He thought it would be a dishonorable thing if the ratepayers voted against such a proposal now.

Mr Fraser said it was an evasion on the part of the chainnan to say that he was not in ha position to say who would h ve to pay in case the proposal was » Iverse.

The chairman regretted to have to raply to Mr Frassr, as it was apart from •t 10 question. The council had authority from the people of the district. He was not a member of the council at the time, but if lie had he should probably have done his best to help the work forward. (Applause.) Mr Fraser said the dishonor if the vote miscarried would not be upon the ratepayers. The council had promised to bi’ing water up to the door of Messrs Tom, Dick, and Harry, and had included quarter-acre sections in the district. Some chaffing discussion now ensued as to individual interests. Mr Fraser then asked about the Rangitata.

The chairman said that in that case the loan was expended. They did not approve of the council going to law, but they were agreeable to pay for all the work that was done, and had done so. Mr Orr thought the Rangitata people were more honorable than the Waitohi people intended to be. (Laughter.) Mr Galbraith asked if Mr Clark had signed the petition. The chairman said he had, and had jnado application for the water. Mr Fraser said Mr Clark had distinctly denied iiaving done soMr Stubbs said that he had Mr Clark’s letters upon the subject. ■Mr Fraser asked who was to be responsible for damage flpBP- A lot of. >vere being fiopded. _ '

The chairman said if there was damage the law courts wore open. Replying to Mr Eraser, he said the i umcil had no power to turn the water or off. If they did not choose to make ■ of the race for two years the land would revert to the original owners, ifrom no cause whatever could the council be made responsible for the failure of water. The Water Supply Act provided tor this. The Government recognised the value of these works, and the tendency of legislation was to facilitate the raising of money for such purposes. If a minority were beaten in a fair contest it it was only good taste and generosity on their part to give gracefully in. Mr Fraser said the constitution of the district was a fraud upon the district.

The chairman said that no fraud in any shape or form had been attempted or implied. The same people were here who voted, and no alteration of the boundary had been made. Mr Fraser said that the explanation, was not sufficient. The alteration of two sections had caused all the dispute. Two sections not in the district had been included.

Mr Stubbs said the original surveyors had made two small clerical errors.

A voice : An error is certainly no fraud.

Mr Fraser said an attempt was now being made to include a lot of quarteracre sections in Epworth for the purpose of voting power. Mr Stubbs said about 800 acres had been included.

The chairman said, if he were not mistaken, Mr Fraser was one of the first to object to the inclusion of Epworth because the vote there would be adverse. The occupiers there would have one vote, the 100-acre man two, and sometimes more. They had a perfect right to be considered.

Mr Ackroyd : There are just as many honorable men there as on the Upper Waitohi. (Hear, hear.) Some little banter ensued, after which

The chairman said he was glad there had been a discussion, and that Mr Fraser had elicited all the information he desired. He would be willing to answer other questions, but would be glad to have a resolution fixing the date of the poll. Mr Orr said he supposed thit the occupiers on the straight races would not have the water cut olf. The chairman said the council could adjust a rate proportionate in such a case, or arrange one on a voluntary basis. Mr Orr said that in mak ng objections Mr Fraser did not study the interest of his landlords—the Education Board. Mr Eraser said he had only been arguing on precedents, What had become of all the other tenants ?

A voice ; They had no water. Here there was chaff of a lively nature between one or two of the ratepayers, but it was soon exhausted. The chairman said he had conferred with Mr Stubbs upon the subject, and they thought it better to hold the poll either before or after the Christchurch Show. He would be glad of a direction upon the subject. The date must be not less than one week or more than three weeks.

After some little consideration, it was decided that the poll he taken on Monday, November 16th, at the schoolroom, Waitohi Flat.

The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair, moved by Mr Fraser.

THE UNITED STATES AND CHILI. Valparaiso, Oct. 29. Owing to the defiant reply of the Chilian Government to the United States, the situation is regarded as grave, and action is imminent. Oct. 30. During a ball held in the city, a toast was drunk to the destruction of the American Republic. A number of English z-esidonts who were present refused to recognise the toast, and withdrew from the room. Owing to the excitement occasioned by the rupture with the United States, business in the city is suspended. New York, Oct. 30. The Chilian Government have refused to allow the repi’esentatives of the Foreign Powers to hold an inquiry into the outrage on the sailors of the United States Navy. The Cabinet have had the matter under consideration at Washington, and as an outcome of the deliberations the cruiser Yorkstown has been ordered to Valparaiso. It is expected that Mr Egan, the United States Minister in Chili, will embark on board the cruiser Baltimore, which is lying in Valparaiso harbor, thus severing diplomatic relations between Chili and the United States. Oct. 31. The Washington Post,Mr J. G. Blaine’s oz-gan, makes an angry reply to the London Times’s strictures with regard to the dispute between Chili and the United States. The Chilian Government demand the recall of Mr Patrick Egan, the United States Minister. President Harrison favors the request, but Mr J. G. Blaine, the Secretary of State, objects, and serious differences in the Cabinet have been the result. There is great activity in the shipyards, preparing vessels in case of emergency. Chili is showing a defiant attitude to the American demands, and it is alleged that she believes England will come to her assistance. London, Oct. 30. The Times says that Mr Blaine, in adopting the attitude ho has towards Chili, is appealing to national vanity in view of the impending elections in five States.