THE BAY OF ISLANDS COUNTY COUNCIL AND GUMDIGGERS.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 182, 27 January 1893, Page 2

THE BAY OF ISLANDS COUNTY COUNCIL AND GUMDIGGERS.

At the meeting of the above County Council the following resolution was carried : ‘ That the attention of the Hon. the Premier and the ether members of the Government be respect fully but earnestly called to the hardships which settlers in this and other Northern Counties are suffering, by reason of the destruction of the roads and bridges in consequence of the heavy gum traffic, and that the following information be given them for their most serious consideration :—(1) That an erroneous idea exists in the minds of many people in other parts of the colony, that the great wealth derived from the working of the gumfields, must of necessity be helpful to the settlement of the adjacent lands, and in other ways tend towards enriching the several local l odies. (?). That on the contrary, because of the unsettled character of the men engaged in the digging, their habits, isolated mode of life and other circumstances, it is a lamentable fact that this valuable product so easily obtained, and which could, under wise regulations, haye been made the means of setting up very many permanent homes, is now being taken out of the land, and out of the colony in such a way as, too often, to cause actual loss and (rouble to the straggling bona fide settler, Ihrough the great wear and tear on the roads and bridges, towards the repair of which the gum traffic contributes nothing, (3). That this County suffers, beyond any other County, inasmuch as most of the gum traffic is carried on in waggons drawn by bullocks owned by Maoriess. Six waggons with ten bullocks in each may often be seen in one train. Sometimes (he number amounts to ten waggons. As the Natives do not pay rates, and have no interest in the County property. There is not only the ordinary repairs to be provided for, but also repairs for damages oftentimes carelessly, sometimes even wantonly done both to -•*« and bridges. (4). That the returns in the r°- " - several departments, show's the hands of tin, -•■- j n this County the quantities dealt wnu, - - „ nd that the distances amount to many miles, ■ out-traffic implies a corresponding amount in-traffic of goods to the stores. (5). That this Council fully endorsed the resolution passed at the Counties Conference in Auckland, in April last, recommending the imposition of an export duty on gum, the proceeds to be given by the Government to the several local

bodies, for expenditure strictly on the roads injured by the traffic, and that the principal gum buyers in this County are favourable to the proposed duty, as being an equitable payment for facilities provided. (6). That, failing the imposition of this duty, the very large consumption of customs-paying articles, by such a number of men, living such a mode of life, gives the Counties affected a very strong claiir on the constitutional revenue for special grants in aid. That copies of this resolution be sent to the Hon. the Premier, to the several members for the northern districts, and also to the Chairmen of the several northern counties, asking their co-operation.’—Carried.