MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD

Temuka Leader, Issue 2656, 8 May 1894, Page 2

MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of ratepayers in the Mount Peel Road district was held on Friday afternoon. Present— The Hou, J. B. A. Acland (chairman), O. G. Tripp, R. Thew, G. J. Deimistoun (members of tho board), also 18 ratepayers, amongst whom wore Messrs Robt. McKay and Jaa. Wilson (Raiiiclilf), and J. Talbot (Temuka). IIKPOUT. Tho chairman said ho was pleated once more to put before the ratepayers a satisfactory report and balance-sheet, and ho wan greatly indebted to Mr Macfarlauo tut being able to place btfpre t^em

a clear account. He then read the report, as follows; Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of placing before you what I consider to be a very satisfactory balance-sheet, seeing that we have a larger balance to our credit than last year, which, of course, means that we have kept our expenditure well within our receipts. We began the year with, a credit balance of £6751 18s Bd, made up as follows r —General account £6,786 15s 2d, less £34 16s 6d expended on roads to perpetual lease sections over and above the moneys received from the Government. I may here remark that the board have experienced great trouble in obtaining from the Government the thirds accruing from the perpetual leases and payable by the Government, Our balance to credit on March 31st was—General account, £6826 5s Bd, land fund account £lls 7s 6d, making a total credit of £6941 10s 2d, an increase of £lB9 lls 6d. Our receipts for the year were £1717 8a Id, made up as follows: Bates £932 8a Id, interest on fixed deposits £3OO, subsidy on rates £250, Mackenzie County Council, half cost of footbridge at Clayton ford £l2 7s 6d, J. Sc T, Wilson, sale of portable hut £ls, thirds from perpetual leases £l9l 15s 9d, various small sums £ls 16?. The expenditure has teen —Peel Forest district £314 8s 3d, Baiacliff, Sherwood Downs, and Clayton £331 13s 4d, miscellaneous £690 Os 3d. This last includes hospital and charitable aid £127 13s, Timaru Harbor Board, halfyearly payment £453 9s 9d, expenditure connected with perpetual lease sections £76 9s 9d. The uncollected rates amount to £4 18s sd. I hope that the ratepayers who are present will be of opinion that the statement which I have read gives a satisfactory account of the business as conducted by the board during the past twelve months. I also have to state that Messrs C. G. Tripp, G. J. Dennis boun, and Bobert Thew have been re-elected, and no other candidate was nominated, which I am thankful to say shows that the board has the confidence of the ratepayers. The balance-sheet for the year ending 31st March. 1894, is now laid before you, but has not yet been audited. A proposal will be brought before you to-day to consider whether it would be advisable for the Mount Feel Road Board to joiu with the Geraldine Road Board in the endeavor that the two boards should be formed into a county. I imagine that this would require a special Act of Parliament, and I must confess that it seems doubtful to me whether any advantage would be gained by such a step, but I shall be very glad to hear what is urged in its favor. J. Barton Acland, Chairman. The report was considered satisfactory, and was adopted by the ratepayers. Mr J. Wilson (Raincliff) thought the board’s work had been very well conducted, and economically carried out. Every part of the district seemed to have got a fair share of the rates collected spent in its own locality. MERGING INTO A COUNTY, Mr C. G. Tripp introduced the merging into a county question, with arguments pimilar to those he used at the Geraldine meeting, again mentioning that Mr Mee at Temnka stated it was the unanimous wish of the Levels district to form a county. ’ Messrs Dennistouu and R. Mackay asked how Mr Mee arrived at that conclusion. Mr Tripp thought that as Mr Mee represented the Levels district his word could surely be taken on such a matter. The only objection against Geraldine and Mount Peel districts merging into a county that he (Mr Tripp) had seen was that they would have to take over the water-races and bridges. The idea of breaking up the county did not originate with him (Mr Tripp). Mr Flatman was the first to speak to him on the matter. He then went to great trouble in hunting up the pros and cons on the question. The two boards interested had £12,000 between them, and that amount at 5. per cent, interest brought in a considerable sum. He had a letter from Mr Shiers stating that his (Mr Tripp’s) figures were incorrect as far as the Geraldine board was concerned. Their interest was only 4J or 4 per cent., and they could not calculate on 5 per cent, for any length of time. This seemed peculiar, as his (Mr Tripp’s) board got 5 per cent. Mr D. Macfarlane said the Mount Peel board last time only just escaped ths 4£ per cent, rate of interest. Mr Tripp continued that, having £12,000, they as a separate county would need only a small rate to keep going ; while, on the other hand, at the present time they had to pay the Geraldine County Council rate of £d in the £, and even then the council had no spare money to go on with improvements. He believed he was, further, correct in saying that the council was £I7OO in debt at the present time. Mr Talbot: “Yes.”

Mr Tripp then produced a statement of receipts in the two districts prepared for him by a frieud, aud which he read at the Geraldine board’s annual meeting. He especially mentioned one item, viz., £4O for rents, and said that since the Geraldine meeting Mr Flatman had assured him that £9O was the correct figure; so that hi» frieud had calculated well within tho mark. This he (Mr Tripp) thought looked well. Mr Talbot : “It does look well.” (Laughter.) Mr Tripp next mentioned that the capital value of tho Geraldine Road Board district was £490,446 aud Mount Peel Road Board district £393,240; Geraldine, rate of |d iu £, £.1021 15s 3d; Mount Peel, do, £BSO 7s lid', Geraldine road district, number of ratepayers, 460 ; Mount Peel, do, 80; Geraldine approximate area, 120,000 acres. The two districts appeared to be about even. It bad been said -that they divide according to tho number of ratepayers in the district, but that entirely wrong for they divided according to value alone. The ratepayers had nothing to do with it. jj£r Dennistoun dissented, aud asked whew a district would be if another one had five votes to its one. Mr Tripp said the Governor-in-Council decided the matter. He spoke with authority, for he held a legal opinion on the point. The legal opinion Mr Tripp read fts under: —

The chairman Geraldine Eoad Board. SIB, —Re the constitution of a new county, in reference to the question submitted to us by you we would advise that, «s mentioned by you at the meeting: on Tuesday, a special Act is required to authorise the formation of a new county. (Section 24 of The Counties Act, 1880 ) Soecial Acts have been passed since the Counties Act of JSB(>, namely: —The Counties Act, Amendment Act, 1288, The Waipua County Act, 1890 (local), and the Stratford County Act, 1890 (local). The first of these Acts was treated as a public Act, but the later Acts were local Acts, and’ we consider any future Acts would have to be local Acts. This being the case the Bill would have to be prepared by the body promoting it, and notices given, and the ordinary steps taken required by the standing orders of tho Ifouse. The Bill would have to bo introduced aud taken jn charge of by some private member or members. No preliminary petition is required. It would bo open to any person or local body to oppose tho Bill, and. if opposed or not, it would he referred to the Local Bills Committee for inquiry. Petitions for and agai.ist the Bill could bo presented, aud all tho circumstances fully gone into before the committee. The Act qjeatiug the county would deliuo its

boundaries, and the Governor would divide it into ridings ana fix the number of members to be elected for each riding as nearly as may be in proportion to the respective rateable value of each riding. (Section 28 The Counties Act, 1886). Eull power is given in the constitution of a county to agree on all questions relating to the division of the assets and liabilities of the old county, and failing an agreement being come to the questions are referred to a Government official to decide. (Sections 31 and 32 The Counties Act, 1886). Smithson, Raymond & Smith. May 2nd, 1891.

Mr Tripp in conclusion said there was yet another consideration, viz.,in forming into a county they would then receive the Government subsidy of 10s in the £ on rates not exceeding £IOOO. He had gone into the matter very carefully, and personally and privately he would be sorry to see the road board system abolished, but he would give up his private consideration for the good of the public. He had enjoyed their monthly road board meetings ever since they had a board. They had an excellent man in Mr Macfarlane, and it was pleasant to meet at the board’s office; but looking at it from a £ s. d. point of view ha could not help saying that they would be great gainers by dividing. (Applause.) Mr J. Talbot was present as a ratepayer of the Mount Peel district. He would probably not have been present had it not been for the question under discussion coming up. He considered the question a most important ouo greatly affecting the district to which he belonged. He was sorry Mr Flatman was not present, but he was told that Mr Flatman was not a Mount Peel ratepayer. In dealing with the question they had to look at it from a broad point of view, or they would do away with their privileges before they knew where they were, and then it would be too late to re-cousider it. Mr Tripp had alluded to the feeling of the Levels district for severance as expressed by Mr Mee. He (Mr Talbot) thought that if any one gentleman came and “ supposed ” for a large constituency as the Levels, he “supposed” for a great deal too much. He (Mr Talbot) admitted there was a feeling in the Levels district for separation, but it was no new movement. A long time ago a move was made and they were then no nearer gaining their object than they were now. In the old days the Levels could do nothing because they had not the area, viz., about 200,000 acres. Since that time the required area was not necessary to gain their ends, but a special Act of Parliament was now the only method of procedure, and this had left them no nearer accomplishing their object than if they had left it alone. The present agitation at Geraldine and Mount Peel had been brought about solely on the ground that the two local boards feared they would lose the bank balances. He (Mr Talbot) could assure them that there were no grounds whatever for such a fear so long as they remain as they were. The only way in which the object of this fear could be brought about was either by splitting up the county or merging the whole road, boards in the county. There was no fear of the whole boards merging into the county. There was too much adverse influence for that. Geraldine and Mount Peel had their bank balances, and Temuka was independent, having its roads all made although not having a large bank balance. Therefore the only district in the county that could wish to merge would be the Levels. In that case it would then be three boards against one. The only fear then was the splitting up of the county, and he (Mr Talbot) contended that the proper policy to pursue would be to combine together, and strive to keep the county as it is, and not allow the Levels to separate. This was worth consideration, as a great amount of traffic went through the Levels, and if merged into a county they would not then be likely to allow outside districts’ traffic to go through their county without making them pay for it. If the Levels were successful in the county question what would then rssqlt ? The Temuka district would not join the levels and three boards would remain. What would be the position then with regard to the bank balances ? Why, the same as now unless merged into a county. In that case they would still carry on as before. The feeling always was that the chief centres* look after tbenjsolyes and the oqtlying districts .are neglected, and thus the wish was for big bodies being made into smaller ones. Whatever became of the present movement he (Mr Talbot) would do his best to see that Temuka is joined to Geraldine and Mount Peel, and not to the Levels. The Opihi was the natural boundary for a county and by cutting up ttye district part of tfie water races wpuld be in one district and part in another. No Government would sanction such a thing. Another thing that would militate against the Geraldine and Mount Peel boards separating from Temuka was that the valuation of ttfo tiyo former districts together only came to about £BOO,OOO, while the valuation of the little Temuka district was just about equal to both, and the population was greater. So that if tlfO pjatter ever came up, was it likely that the Gpyei'qnyent were going to allow Temuka to be thrown over by the other ■I two boards ? The Government would no doubt form the two places so that they would be equal. If a split did take place jn the county according to the rateable value of tl}o levels, the county would be split about in half, so Q oral dine and Mount Peel must have Temuka taoked on to them. They could not get clear of Temuka, but Temuka would not want to do more in the matter if it was left al me. Then if the proposal to form a county was earned oyjt what Peel gain by it ? At the present moment they had their affairs looked after; they had their office in the district with a road board (jlosp at baud. On the other hand the whole management would bo swept away and taken to Geraldine, and would that be wise? Then what would Geraldine and Mount Peel together gain by the proposed change ? It was said they would gain in revenue. Qp TIWS’W b° : the GEsAliDisrß Guaeuian a statement drawn up by someone for Mr Tripp, a . most remarkable and absurd statement it was. He did not know who drew it UP. but Mr Tripp was useful putting it before the public. Take the first item, the dog registration fees, put down at £6B; this was about £lO more than the actual figures, Besides it was the gross apd not the nett amount. How much gf it would bo loft if they deducted the expenditure on dog collars and collection or fees 1 Mr Tripp said he had figures from Constable Willoughby showing that for Geraldine he had paid in £4q after paying all expenses. Ho (Mr Tripp) was sure that £6B was within tfle mark. Mr Talbot said tho figures given to him for 1893 were : Geraldine, £45 ids ; Mount Pool, £l2 fSp. Thou tho accommodation and conditional licenses were put down at £ls. This was also an item that would coat more in expenditure than would bo received. Then there was a general rate of : {d in tho £ collected, viz., £3UOO, and Geraldine and Mount Pool’q share was put down at £I2OO.

Whoever drafted such a statement clearly did not know what ho was doiug. In the first place, of this £3OOO the Levels district would pay one-half, and, in the second place, of what remained Temuka would contribute an amount equal to Geraldine and Mount Peel put together. So that the person who made up this statement would have take a big slice off his total, £1303, amount sent out of district, and also have to deduct the amount spent in collecting the general rate, which he said nothing about. Added to the total of £1303 was also an amount, Timaru office staff, £422. This was rather a puzzler. Of this amount how would Geraldine and Mount Peel gain £l5O ? Nothing was said about collecting or how the work was done. The next item “ purchase of offices in Timaru and interest (our share of £218) £60.” As far as his (Mr Talbot’s) memory served him this payment had run out, and could not be put down as an asset. Then came “ sale or lease of office at Mount Peel, let at 10s, £26.” This was on the assumption that the whole of the Mount Peel management would be wiped out. The man who put together such a statement was fit to be a Colonial Treasurer. He (Mr Talbot) did not doubt the rents of reserves item, but the last statement was tho beat of the lot, “ interest on £12,000 at 5 per cent, £600.” Ho (Mr Talbot) was under the assumption that the two road board’s were getting this at the present moment, and he did not kuow that they had to join together to get it? (Laughter.) This made a grand total of £2194. Mr Tripp pointed out that the amount in the statement was £1303 of money actually sent away; it did not mean that £2194 was the amount.

Mr Talbot said it was only the previous day that he had seen this wonderful statemeut, aud he had not time to go fully into the matter. Probably the rates collected in the two districts would come to about £3BOO. Then what would the expenditure be ? He had not time to give the figures. First there was the Rangitata bridge—a big oue to keep in repair; then a stock bridge along the railway bridge at Rangitata; also tho Orari, Geraldine, and Raincliff bridges. He left it. to the ratepayers to say whether any of the money collected in these districts they would be the loser in the end if they took over the management of the bridges and water races. He was sure the expenditure would consume every bit of revenue. What made tho Levels district move in the matter of separating was the bridges, etc Our districts were actually the gainers under the present county council system, and it was to the interest of all the ratepayers to keep the council as it is. Another thing, if they calculated on the whole of the Mount Peel Road Board district falling in with the idea joining Geraldine they were mistaken, for the ratepayers in the back country would doubtless move to join tho Mackenzie County. Temnka would not oppose the present system, but if Geraldine and Mount Peel moved to have the county cut up they could not blame Temuka for going towards them and looking after itself. Any attempt to change the, present system would be opposed by all north of the Opihi. What about the £3OOO spent iu renovating the Opihi bridge ? Although not used personally by Mount Peel aud Geraldine ratepayers, yet their stock aud everything else went over it. Had there then been a separate county north of this bridge they would have had this £3OOO expenditure upon them. In all due deference to Mr Tripp he could assure him that he (Mr Tripp) was on tho wrong track. Mr Tripp had got a gentleman to prepare a statement which he had foisted on the public with a name of respectability which it was not dignified enough to bear. (Loud laughter). It was on a par with a statement made by someone else that the road board’s administration was 25 per cent. That gentleman certainly did not know what he was talking about, fur Temuka’s administration was about 9, per cent and men got up in public they should be reasonably careful that they were right in their figures. These figures of Mr Tripp’s statement were I'eqd at the Geraldine Road E|oard, apd Mr Flatman, or someone present, should have corrected then}. It was a stupid rqistake. (ApMr mentioned that the chairman of the Geraldine Road Board sent his compliments to the Mount Peel board and asked that some oue be deputed to attend a meeting of ratepayers on Wednesday evening next at Geraldine. Mr Flatman no doubt then would be in a to explain some of the veered to by Mr Talbot, Once ' more hd wished it understood th a t the ielea of merging into a county did not come from him (Mr Tripp.) Mr J. Wilson (Raincliff) was not well versed on the subject but it appeared to him that if the proposal was darried out the qqtlying districts would not be attended to. With regard to subsidies on rates he said that the road boards at present got a certain amount of Government subsidy, aud also an equal amount from the county council, which made up the same as the poqpail got from the Government. Another question,if the Mount Peel district were merged into the Geraldine district, he, as a ratepayer, would do all he could to get his district to join the Mackenzie County, and he knew the Clayton people would, he only too glad to do tfiq same, Tliey h,ad never yet made any move to the Mackenzie County, but if they were asked to join Geraldine they would look after themselves. He thought it a suicidal policy for Mount Pep] to join the present movement (Hear, near.)' IVir Robert (Raincliff) said his part of thq district was very well satisfied with things as they are at present, but if any alteration took place they would certainly join tfie Mackenzie County. Mr G. J. Dennistoun said that the Mackenzie County, according to Mr Mr Tripp’s letter, separated from the Geraldine County because they did not get proper attention as an outlying district. This woqjd be exactly the position of the Mount Peel district if they joined Geraldine, they would be a small outlying portion of a couutv The Geraldine Road lioarl uad 500 miles of roads, 400 of which were formed; while in tl*e Mount Peel district there \ye 265 q{ formed roads to ][eep v,p. Thus there was a di Horen oo or about 140 KVilua ul i'D** 3 ’ keep up, and the 'or.ddin* fsuo wis s-nnething u ; ‘ r .cr £209 more than tinMount 1 ed one. He (Mr L)emiistQUn) had been enquiring into tfie of works etc , and he funnel that Mount Peel would not gaifi ;; haU-poiu'y. by; the proposed change, With respect to licensed houses, his district was a blest one, for \t did not possess a single license!, 1 , house. In any case lie could not ■jol any. gain from them. Mr Tipfbot; “.Not much if you have to pay election expenses.” (Laughter.) Mr E. Lorgelly ; aid.(bat in his opinion Mr Tripp’s figures w-ere quite correct, and no argmquqts brought forward had overthrown them, iu fact ho was thankful to Mr Tripp for them. Mr Tripp, after further discussion, raised u point for the lawyers, viz., “ The four ioa,J board of thy GqraUUuq County

I having built the Rangitata Bridge, are they compelled to keep it up ? ” Mr Dennistouu said the same point might be raised with regard to every bridge in the county, and what then ? Mr W. B. Barker said that Mr Tripp had favored the proposed county on the matter of economy but be (Mr Barker) could not help saying that the supposed economy was on paper only and not real. The proposal was like taking a leap in the dark, and he would strongly protest against it. Mr Tripp said it was a race at the present moment between the Levels district and their own as to who should get their Bill in first. If Geraldine and Mount Peel were not active they would be left in the lurch. Mr Talbot said that the moment a bill was presented Temuka would apply to be tacked on to Gerldiue and Mount Peel and he was sure that Mr Acland would agree with him that this would be given effect to in the House. Mr Acland was not so sure about that especially if Mount Peel and Geraldine opposed it. Mr Talbot said the Government would have to go to Temuka for natural boundaries. Mr Tripp believed that the Government intended doing away with some of the local bodies. Mr Acland thought if that were the contemplation of the Government Mr Tripp had induced the strongest argument for the road boards remaining as they were at present till they see what will be done. After some more unimportant discussion, Mr R. McKay moved, and Mr J. Wilson seconded, —“ Thst this meeting is iu favor of the Mount Peel Road Board remaining as now constituted and there is, therefore, no necessity to appoint a deputation to the Geraldine meeting of ratepayers as requested by Mr Flatman.” Mr Thew thought that the figures on both sides had been so conflicting that it was impossible to form an opinion and he thought a public meeting of ratepayers should be called some evening. Not half the ratepayers were present that day and the matter ought to be gone into more and definitely before being dropped. The motion was put and carried—ll for and 8 against. Several ratepayers did not vote either way, FORMING INTO WARDS. Mr Thew brought up a previously mooted question, viz., forming the boards district into wards. Mr Talbot thought the present system should work well enough without dividing into wards, which would entail more office work, etc., than now. Mr Tripp had heard no complaints in the district against the present system. Other ratepayers present agreed with Mr Tripp, and the matter dropped. VOTES OF THANKS. Mr Talbot moved a hearty vote of thanks to the members and chairman which was seconded by Mr D. McKay, and carried. MEMBERS LUNCHEON. Mr D. McKay proposed that the members luncheon be provided for 12 mouths as usual. The meeting then closed. i