THAMES MUNICIPALITY

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 93, 26 January 1872, Page 3

THAMES MUNICIPALITY

MEETING AT PARAWAI. A MEETING of tlie residents at Tarawai was held last evening at the Rob Roy Hotel to take into consideration the question of the proposed municipality boundaries. There was a largo attendance of both Europeans and Maoris. Mr Wilkinson acted as interpreter. Mr Spencer was voted to the chair, and having read the advertisement convening the meeting, called upon Mr O’Keeffe to explain the object for which they had been called together. Mr O’Kf.KFFK then explained that by the Municipal Corporation Act power was given to create municipalities, which meant being bound together to tax the land and houses, and to borrow large sums, which would have to be repaid with interest, also by taxation. This was all very good when applied to large towns —such as Dunedin, Otago—but it was not, in the speaker’s opinion, applicable to a •small place like Parnwai. with a small mixed population. The Highway Districts Boards Act provided for the raising of local revenue, and was quite sufficient for the present. Parawai would get no corresponding benefit from the establishment of a municipality, and the people would be taxed here for the benefit of Grahamstown and Shorthand. Those townships had a large population, Parawai a very small one, and Parawai would have no voice in the new ‘‘Parliament, but would be outvoted by Grahamstown and Shortland. In Auckland, neither Parnell nor Newton would agree to join the city because of its large debt. . It was not right that the people in Parawai should he taxed for the benefit of Grahamstown and Shortland. Last winter the people here had to walk or ride up to the middle in tniul, but the Shortland or Grahamstown people would not make l oads for them or assist them. Now they found out there were valuable lands and water at Parawai, and they wanted to get hold of them. In the matter European and native were alike. Moreover, the Act under which it was proposed to establish the municipality

was cumbrous aud hard to understand, and he believed it would be for the interest of Parawai to oppose joining the municipality, especially under the present Act. Grahamstown took the Parawai water and did not pay for it, and now they wanted’ the Parawai harbour and its valuable land. Under the Gold Districts Bill these lands might be declared available for public purposes, and the municipality might interfere with this. He had no objection to Shortland and Grahainstown being created a borough, but he did object to Parawai being joined, as the people would he taxed and would get none of the money spent in the district. The way to get out. of the difficulty was to sign a petition to the Governor, praying him not to include Parawai. The natives could also petition the Native Minister on the subject. Under a municipality, they would have all sorts of taxes and tolls to pay, and they could not put up a wooden chimney, or allow a pig to stray, without being liable to a penalty. What they wanted was to get 200 or 300 signatures to the counter petition, otherwise they would he liable to have their little properties sold for nonpayment of rates and taxes. He moved, “That this meeting is of opinion that every legitimate means should he made use of to prevent Parawai being included in the proposed municipality.” Mr Stillwell seconded the resolution, and said lie endorsed all that had been said by Mr O’Keeffe. Pa rata said lie did not think the municipality would be suitable to this native district. It might he very w-ell for Grahamstown and Shortland, hut not for Parawai. He had already been taxed £4 16s for his own house, on his own land, and he did not want to he taxed more.

Meuimona spoke to the same effect, and praised Mr Tookey for what he had done for the district.

Korona followed, and said lie was in favour of the district remaining as it was. The district was wrongly named Parawai. It ought to have been Hauraki. John Prince (a Maori) aud Rewiti said they had contributed stone and timber for the road, and did not want to he taxed. They had also given water, and allowed telegraph poles to be put up on their lands, but they could not send messages free. He objected to the municipality extending te Parawai. Abraham (a Maori) said he agreed with all Mr O’Keeffe had said.

Nikorema said the Maoris had been hardly dealt with, and repeated wliat had been said as to the contributing stone for the roads, &c. Mr Du tty said he objected to Parawai being joined to the municipality, and said lie thought the longer they kept out of its clutches the better.

Mr Swan was about to address the meeting, hut the interpreter, who acted gratuitously, objected to interpret any longer, as lie was tired, and Mr Swan did not go on with his speech ; blit lie and Mr O’Keeffe had a little sparring between themselves as to wliat had occurred outside the meeting. Mr Goodall said lie catnc here by invitation by advertisement, and thought it was to have been a meeting of Europeans. Air Dean repeated that this was a packed meeting. Mr O’Keeffe said Mr Dean was the hired servant of the Waiotahi Board, and also lion, secretary of the municipal committee, and expected to be paid for it, and Mr Swan had no interest in the district whatsoever.

The resolution was put and carried. On the motion of Mr O’Keeffe, seconded by Air Bef.re, Messrs O’Keeffe, Tookey, Day, Hohcpa Panama (Maori), Parata te Mapu were appointed a committee to draw up and obtain signatures to a petition to the Governor, praying that Parawai be not included in the proposed municipality. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.