THE COUNTY SUSPENSION DEPUTATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1597, 31 January 1884, Page 2

THE COUNTY SUSPENSION DEPUTATION.

Wellington, Thursday. 1 .deputation of settlers from the Wairarapa, headed by Mr Meredith, Chairman of the Masterton Road Board, and including three members of the County Council waited upon the Hon. Colonial Secretary' yesterday afternoon, with a petition-for the suspension of County Act.' The deputation which consisted of Messrs Meredith senior, Buick, Herbert, Guirie'rseri, Brown Hunt, Hogg, Chamberlain, McQardle, and Lowes .too introduced by Mr Buchanan,'••■'Mr■ -Meredith,:in presenting the petition mentioned that it was signed by three-fifths of the ratepayers in the county, and explained that' the. reason /why settlers wished the Act suspended .'-was "because they considered the work of the district could be more efficiently aud economically performed by the Road Boards than by the County Council, Mr McCanlle' mentioned that the revenue from the various ridings was ,£3OOO, out of which an official staff had to be supported to the extent of £IBOO per 'annum, and also pointed out that if. the Counties Act was hung up this amount would ibe saved. Mr Meredith added that the County Council was levying rates all over the district and were only spending money in particular localities, which was most unfair. In reply to the deputation, Mr Dick said that the petition would necessarily have to be examined for the purpose of ascertaining whether the requisite number of names were attached, and until this had been done the Government could do nothing in the matter. If the Act had been complied with, he would havenooption but to comply with the request of the memorialists, and hang up the Act. The deputation then thanked the hon. gentleman for his courtesy and withdrew.

Wellington 7, Thursday."'' At the Wesleyan Conference last night, the report of tho committees'on draft of book of discipline, and district meeting recommendations on the basis of Methodist Union were presented and adopted. The Rev. Mr Oliver was appointed to deliver at the next Conference a lecture, subject to be "inspiration." The following ministers and lay men were elected to tho position of representatives to the next general conference to be held next Noyember in Christchurch:—Ministers, President and Secretary, ex officio, Revs Held Berry, Bavin, Oliver, Kirk, Williams, Lewis, and Leo. Laymen: Messrs Buddie, Hobbs, Moxliani, John Manchester, George Ferryman, Prince, Harris, King, and J. L Wilson. The Auckland Theological Institution was reviewed, The balance sheet read and adopted. Revs Bavin, Reid, Carr, Watkins, and Taylor, were appointed Lecturers on Theology, Hermencutics, Ecclesiastical History, Mental and Moral Science. The question of probationers who have resigned, leaving, unfulfilled liabilities for collego[training, was.considered, but no resolution adopted, the consideration of the matter being postponed till to-day. A form of agreement, to be signed by all the students in future, was agreed to by the Conference. Expected that (the Conference will close to-day.' '•

[BY OUII SPECIAL REPOMEU.] Wellington, Wednesday. The deputation re suspension of the coimty,wasmtroducedbyMrßuchaiian, M.H.R., Mr McCardle was also present, Mr Buchanan in presenting the petition, said that it contained over the requisite number of three-fifths of ratepayers. The reason the ratepayers wanted the county suspended was that they believed that road boards could administer works in the district more efficiently and economically than the County Council.. Mr McCardle said that the rates that were collected in.the district amounted to £3OOO per annum, and that £IBOO of this was swallowed up by the County staff.

Mr Meredith stated that the County Council had levied a general rate all over the county, and expended it in one particular portion for the benefit of a small minority.of ratepayers. The Hon Mr Dick replied that the petition would be examined and 'submitted to the County Council. If found correct, the prayer memorial would be granted, as the- Government, even if opposed to it, had no alternative. In answer to a question, he said that fioad Boards would.be called upon to take oyer the, liabilities of the County. If they did not arrange to do this the Government would arrange it for them.