COUNTY ABOLITION AGITATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1452, 9 August 1883, Page 2

COUNTY ABOLITION AGITATION.

About thirty settlers attended a meeting at the Club Hotel last evening convened by a written notice exhibited in. several shop windows in Queen-street,!, for the purpose of discussing." County taxes. scab, and other matters." Mr A, W. Renall was voted to the chair, on the motion of Mr R, R, Welch, seconded by Mr R, Campbell)' and in opening the meeting said it had apparently been called by "Mr Noname, of Nowhere." However, the question they had to discuss was, ho believed, whether it was desirable to retain two governing bodies to do the work of one. (Hear, hear,) Though to call the counties governing bodies was a misnomer, They had no governing power. They had not the . power to pick a louse off a scabby sheets back. (Laughter and applause,) It had long been his contention that counties should havo real powershould have control of fencing, scab, and other matters affecting country districts, §nd Jie bejieved there were many nffibpfij flf fariiaipit nqw of bis opinion. With to tj}e ppp ; sent meoting there appeared to be an impression that some people obtained bridges and roads which other people thought should be constructed elsewhere. Ho hoped to see a public meeting called to discuss the matter fairly and honestly from all points as there was apparently a great difference of opinion on the matter. So far as he had' bg.e)} informed it would not be putting a very largo amount qf pjk on oneengineer if ho did all the work ' now being, done by the two—a litttle extra assistance might be required, The County, he believed, intended to borrow some LIBOO, which would just coyer the engineers and other officials' ' sallies, SQ i|at tj}ey woqltj l)e rjamg rates to Jjelp to spend what tljey in : tended to borrow. A)i_ public bodies, gnd eventlie people in ' New Wand were alike-all got into debt. They were nil overdrawn. (Laugh- ' ter.) Almost ovory person one-mot was either.an officer or. just out of office of some kind, The country was too much governed, and yet there was 110 real government, and the people did not appear to be able to choose fit people to govern them either in the House, County, or sig]}W Boards, However, there might be legislators grojfing ■ up in the country, and people able to pick them out. He hoped on this, occasion some one was prepared to show how they were to get double work for Jialf the monoy in this dis : ' trict, _ Hp t)ejicvet| Beyenjl were in the Jiauds of various gentlemgi} present, aud fjo palled upqn the pqspssqp of the first opto move it.—(Appiauso.) Mr D. Buick Baid lje cquld not adf| j. anything to wJltyt the Chairman jjg4 said, but would hand him the iirsfc resolution, whioh was as follows • " That iu tho opinion of this meeting, tho system of Duplicate Govern, meat as represented in the North Wairarapa by the Highway Board . and County Council, was expensive and unnecessary." Mr It. R, Welch seconded. He thought If taxes were increased much more, people would be driven out of the country, jjqmtcd out that it took -• £I4OO for working qf Cquntjr East, fle yo'iild like to ' see 'm. Ppunty Coimcij abojished and top highway Board (Jo-all tjie wqrk. Then tlje r§tes woujd be spent jn tj)eif distpiof. 4 SJl e PWI rfjte j|atj Ijpei} struck by Cqiptfy Easf 'fp norfpp ffi certain works, bjit thp rate fas npt be cgllectecj, ant} t]|e wqrk yyqii tq bp paid for qqt the rate. As ft' Set off they were 'promised tj)»t day IiOO would be refunded tjunH Masterton District, He seo rates spent where they were wised," ' 1 and special rates collected for stoecial works, MrCha mberlain had special work done and had paid tho special rate, others should be compelled to do the same. He was not prepared to go fully into the matter on the present occasion, as the meeting was a surprise one to him. Ho and othors had come i'ntq f,o\yn tjiat for the purpose of calling JI meeting, ftnd fyeftfun'fj one already convened, W}tJ) this briof sketch of his views he would therefore resume his seat, (Applause,) Mr Woodroofe said any resolution . passed that evening would hardly be fair, as the meeting had npt been properly convened, He had only heard of it privately, and if coy Id not becalled ft public mating, 'lhe-question to bp discussed-.was one which shouldbe . brought before the notice of'all cim* cerned, When he thought' of tho Roads and Bridgos Act he felt'utterly aßhamed::of the Legislators who passed 1 it. He would, however, keep to the question in hand, and held that Road Boards and Counties were not both required when the former could do all the- work. Under tho present system interested parties brought pressure to bear to secure works in certain places, aud were the means of imposing three rates,—a Highway, a General, and Special". County rate. He believed ftbout 41200 or £I3OO were divided by the county among themselves, that was among their officials and employees. At leaist

lie was told so. • He thought Highway Boards. .\y!t!), executive committees would be quite sufficient for all require-, mcnts of botli County and Highway Boards. He pointed out that persons interested in the polling for'special works under the Boad and Bridges Act, might, fee away and never see tho notice of poll. Every one interested should receive a notice. He hoped now the public "would make a determined effort and pnt'down and dissolve tho County which was helping to drive homo the wedge of taxation firmer and firmer, tiil the people fairlygroaned under their burthens. Ho would reverse llm proverb and say a good end- would make a good beginning, and ho hoped the County Council of Wairarapa 'Kust would from that night cease and determine. ( Applause.) The Chairman after inviting further discussion without response, put the motion which .was carried unanimously. on the voices,' • i% E, Chamberlain then moved—steps be taken to bus- / operation of the Counties. J.Aot as far as the AVairarapa East .'.County was concerned in accordance■ with "tho. Counties Act 1876 and ; Amendment 1882. He advocated circulating a petition and obtaining the signatures of the three-fifths of the . ratepayers required as soon as His opinion was tho Highway Board could do all the work flow .done by both bodies. (Applause).' Mr A. Campbell seconded. The Chairman invited discussion on this motion, and meeting iio response, "chaffed" those present on their extreme bashfulneas, and complimented them, amidst considerable laughter, on the modesty displayed. The motion was carried without dissent, Mr Bapp said the resolution placed in his hands was: That tho following gentlemen be appointed a committoo to carry out the foregoing resolutions—Messrs 11. It. Welch, A. Campbell, E, Chamberlain, W. W. McCardlo, It. Df(!K, T. L. Thompson, 14. ' Meredith, sen., and - Macquario, : with power to add to their numbor. It might perhaps be regarded as presumptuous for him, as only a small holder, to move such a resolution, but it was more a question for the small |]o!fje|: t|niji the largo one, as where {}ierp ps onp of the lafter there wpre tWPntjT of tjip former, feppjp iycfe now taxed to such an cutout that they could not pay without being much distressed, It was said the last straw broke the camels's back. The rate just struck would bo the straw that would break the County's back, (Ap- ■ plauso). Before he came to the colony, pcrhapa ten years ago, Counties and Koad Boards were no doubt required ; but- now bridges were erected and lioads ijiifle, f}nd Counties were required no longer, and it would bo quite safe to leave all their work in the hands of the Highway Board.— (Applause). seconded the resold tion ( : ina3i))UGh as it putting ipattprs in proper shape, and would dp ftfffly with the" necessity fo|\a public meeting, more particularly as reporters were present at that one, After'a long pause the chairman said ho shoiild be glad to hear some remarks in support of the resolution, That would' conclude the business, and they could go home to their suppers. • No one seemed to wisli to further discuss the motion, which was put and carried. The chairman would like' to liavo had a publjc moc'ting called, (hear, hear), |)|jt Ije qpultj not move it, being chairman, Mr. R, K. Welch wished to know if |t was possible to get t|ie signatures re: quired'within the month, as the rates were duooji tl)o Sjl'st. T||e O})!iirman: Ai|(] you wspit to keep them in your pocket, eh 1 (jaughto abolish tfje county before it collects the rate," .and as everyone is willing there should not be much difficulty, (laughter.). The chairman: Well, after the many, excellent speeches we have heard tonight we had better do something for the landlord, as tho meeting has been somewhat dry. (Laughter.) Mr Welch moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, who remarked that that was an inexpensive affair that all might safely.indulge in. He accepted if, however; • aiu| wjiuld be feaijy tq assist hjs fellqiy pjj wjiile he j;en)ained among tl]em. f|ie motion was carried and the ipopting-adjourned, We belipve the poapiftee nieefi op Friday eyening.