ALFREDTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2420, 8 October 1886, Page 2

ALFREDTON.

[Fbom ooit own Correspondent,] A meeting of the settlers convened by Mr Mackay, County Chairman, was held last Saturday night in Messrs Macquane'a woolshed. There was a fair attendance. On the motion of Mr Mackay Mr C. (1, Good took the chair. The Chairman introduced Mr Mackay, and stated the object of Mr Mapkay's visit was to explain to settlers thclffliy 1 Local Bodies Loan Act, and to net tfiffr expressions of opinion aa to borrowing under tho Act. Mr Mackay having explained the working of the new Act expressed his opinion that the new system was preferable to the " Roads and Bridges Act" on account of the lengthened terms and tho reduced rate of interest. He also pointed out th.i advantage of transferring the loans under the old Act to the new Loaus Act. He said that he hud been told that he was looked upon as an intruder by some of tiie Alfredton Bettlera, and that the object of his visit was to influence the settlers in tho direction of borrowing.. (Mr Alpass: Come every week, we will be glad te see you.) Such was not the case. When thejJJtojs and Bridges Act was introduced had not been consulted, and the result was that in some cases there was dissatisfaction witli the munner in which money had been burrowed and exponded. He was present, to-day. on behalf of the Council, not for the purpose of influencing I the settlers but to get an expression of opinion.

After some questions had been asked and answered Mr Marah moved that "We borrow £3OOO, £2OOO to be expended in metalling the Alfredton-Eketahuna road, and LIOOO in formation of the Tiraumea section of tho road."

Mr Warren, although not a ratepayer within tho district, asked to he allowed to support the motion, and stattd that ha was quite willing that his country should bo included within the proposed rating area, and that ho was also anxious to have his country transferred into the Alfiedton Road District and Siding. Mr 0. Macquario objected to Mr Warren beiug heard, and thought that outsiders ought not to be allowed to influence sehtlers. jjf Mr Duffy seconded Mr Mr D. 0. Macquarie moved as an amendment that" Wo do not borrow," and in support said that he objected to borrowing for two reasons; firstly, on account of the increase of taxation which was more than ratepayers could well bear, and secondly, becaose settlers would bo expendiug money on a road which, in a few years, would not be used by Ikm. The Eketahuna road, was only -one of three lines, aiid it was at least 14 miles longer than either of the other lineß.

Mr Marsh in reply said that he thought Mr Macquarie's arguments were not very Btrong. They had already spent a lot of money on the Eketahuna road, and therefore they ought to complote it. Tho matter of a few miles extra travelling on a good road was of no consequenco, and besides, beyond reports settlers knew little or nothing of the other routes. ' Mr Dunn seconded Mr Macquarie's amendment, which was carried by a large majority. Resolved ou the motion of Mr C. Macquarie, seconded by Mr Saunders, "that it be an instruction to the Council that, travelling expenses be allowedMj the representatives of the Alfredton jling, such expenses to bo taken frdm the goneral rate."

Resolved—That if it be found an advantage to the Riding the Council take stops and transfer tho loan under the Roads and Bridges Act, and bring it under the new.Act,

It ws also auggeßted that the Road Board take steps in tho same diction with the district loan, 1 A vote of thanks to Mr Mackay and the Chairman brought the meeting to a close