COUNTY FINANCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2441, 1 November 1886, Page 2

COUNTY FINANCE.

MEETING AT TENUI,

A meeting of ratepayers of the Castlepoint riding was held on Saturday last in the Public Hall, Tenui, at the invitation of Messrs T, Maokay, R 8. Hawkins, and R. Maunsell, the representatives of the riding in the Eaßt County Council. About thirty settlers responded to the invitation and Mr F. Maunsell was voted to the chair. In opening the proceedings, the Chairman stated the object for which the meoting wa3 convened, viz., "To consider the financial position of the Riding, payment of interest on £2,600 loan, borrowing under loans to Local Bodies Act," and said it was a matter of regret that there wnß not a larger attendance, especially as two of their representatives had travelled from Masterton to meet them. Ho then called upon MrMackay to lay the various questions before thorn. Mr Mackay commenced by reading a telegram from Mr Handysido stating that. he was unable to be present owing to his being busy with tho shearing. He then wont into tho full history of tho FINANCIAL POSITION Of the Castlep oint Riding, whioh showod that in 1884 they wore in debt £9OO, and they then thought they could get_ over their finanoial difficulty by a speoial work rate. This, when place d before tho ratepayers, did not meet with success,and they were recommended to economise. This was practised, and the following year the debt was reduced to £753. At the present time their indebfcednosswas £798. The correspondence and action taken by the Oastlepoint Board and the Council, with regard to keeping open the main road between Masterton and Oastlepoint was then dpalt with, which .brought out the fact that only £4OO was available durin? the next year for the County roads in the Riding; which, the speaker urged, was such a small amount for- tho work required to be done, that the Engineer would have nothing to allow for contingencies. Ho considered that with the balance they had in hand the Castlepoint Road. Board should assist the County in keeping the main road in order. Tho amount the County had to expend on the road would only be sufficient for the maintenance men, and he contended that there was a fair and legitimate olaim on the Board for spending their money on the main road to Masterton. There were several wards in the Board directly interested in having this road well made, in fact the advancement of tho wholo riding depended upon it, MrLangdon; How is it the County cannot do the work as well as tho Road Board used te ? There was more metal put on when they had the doing of it. Mr Mackay: If we were clear of debt, and had not that £370 to pay off, the money would be available for tho road.

Mr Cameron ; If the money is all spent on the main road, how would the district roads bo constructed? We must have roads to get our wool and other things out.

Mr Mackay: 1 think the district roads have been well looked after and provided for, but what good arc your diatriot roads if your main roads aro in ruin ?

Mr R, Maunsell thought the best way out of the difficulty would be for the •wardens of the Board to look around and see where their intorests lay and mako provisions for the most necessary works in their wards, consistent with tho amount of rates raised there. If somothing of this kind woro not done, it would lead to a much higher rate being lovied for general purposes than what was being raised then.

Mr Hawkins said he could begin to see daylight through tho whole thing. The ratepayers of the Riding were botwoeu two stools, The County Council started well, and allowed the Oastlepoint Riding to overdraw their account and then, to satisfy the other Riding suddenly stopped their financial supplies. They then passed a resolution calling on the Oastlepoint Board to assist in keeping the road open, and gave it to Cr Maunsell to present to the Board. He did not attend, consequently the Board only had a bald resolution before them, and it put their backs up, and he thought it would have put his up if ho had'been similarly situated. As that waß all past and explained, and tho Oastlepoint Board appeared to be desirous of assisting the County, as they always did in a fair and liberal spirit, he trusted an amioable arrangomont would be made for the benefit of all parties. They must all feel that their interests were identical, and that it would be detrimental to the Board to be antagonistic to the Oouncil. Mr Bellis: We thought the fd rate would cover all those expenses, and that we should not have to assist in thJ3 work anymore.

Mr Mackay; Tho rate was always struck before when you assisted the Oouncil with the road, Perhaps the Board would bo prepared to support two maintenance men. for a period on tho road ?

Mr Mcßutchon thought it only fair that before anything definite was done a meeting of ratepayers should be convened to ooiißider the amount to ba voted, and he would move "That in order to test the feelings of the ratepayers on tho question of the Road Board handing ovor a part of their funds to tho Oouncil for expenditure on the Main Road, tho members of the Board be requested to call a meeting of ratepayers to fully discuss the question." Mr Langdon seconded the resolution. Mr Hawkins, as a ratepayer was of an opinion that the question should be settled at once, and moved as an amendment, "That the question be submitted to this meeting, aye or no. Do tho ratepayers desire that the Board should assist the County Oounoil in the repair of the main road."

. MrW. H. Beetham, in seconding the amendment, said he did not dissent from ■the motion, that the ratepayers should be called together but he considered the present meeting as .large as oould be expected in the district, He would not

care about making anothor journey from Masterton. , He agreed with Mr JR., Maunaell that the : . Wardens would be doing'a vast amount of good by taking notice and spending their rates in their respective districts. They were all dependent on good roads to get their produce to market. It was a question that every ratepayer was interested in, and it was no matter who spent tho money, Counoil or Board, as long as the work wa3 done. If the Board only paid attention to tho district roads, the main road would be altogether useless, unless someone took it in hand. As Triißteos, holding the land until the great expropriation soheme came into operation, they must uofc add to the burden ou • the property by increaaod taxation, when the day of surrender arrived. He concluded by say* ing thai the ratepayers could confidently leave the matter in the bauds of those bodies who were elected to sorve them, as they would look after the best interest of all parties. Mr MoSutohon called attention to the faofc that some of the representatives of the Board were absent, He moved the resolution to give thorn an opportunity to vote on tho money being expended and pointed out that there were certain conditions to be carried out according to the Act,

Mr Maokay said it would not be fair to absent members to take their money, especially if it was to be expended outside their district or division, The County was not asking for the money to be voted now, all they wanted was, that the ratepayers should signify their willingnoss to allow the Board to vote a oerfom sum. Mr R. Maunsell thsuqht it would simplify matters if iustoad of oalling another meeting, they got each Warden to seo the ratepayers of his Ward and obtain a definite answer.

Mr Langdon; The Road Board has always assisted the Council, and I- don't 608 why it should not do so ajain. Wo don't want, any fuis, the Board always did and always will help. Mr McHutohon: Yes, and aro willing to do so now (Hear, hear), Mr Bellis: The people in the baok want roads to get out from their properly, If the County want auy more out of No. 5 ward besides the two thirds they have already got, they had better take the lot of the rates. They always were liboral, Mr Maokay pointed out that the time was near at hand when the work was to be done, and-said the settlers would be studying their own interests by getting it put in hand as early as possible Mr Hawkins could not see there was any opposition. The members ot the Board were as coquettish as a maid. They allow you to tickle them one time and then at other times they say " I donii want you to do it now." He could see the ratepayers were inclined to help the County, and he thought the Board should take the sense of the mooting, and hoped Mr MoHutchon would withdraw his resolution,

Mr MoHutchon had no objoofcion to withdrawing it, but pointed out that the absent members might foel piqued at a resolution being passed which might not lead to suoh favorable results for the County.

Mr Beotham thought the question could safely bo loft with the Board, and the ratepayers could rest assured the moneys would be well spout, as they were all of one opinion of the urgoncy as to the •question.

Mr Mackay said they did not expect a decidod amount to be voted by the meeting, onlya deciding vote of assistance, Mr Langdou would not be in favor of the money being spent by tho County. The Board always did spend their money well, aud they were the proper parties to have the handling of it. Mr Cameron would be in favor of his rates being spent on the main road. Mr Bellu said the Board got £ls from the County for the Tinui bridge ropairs, and it would cost them anothor £SO to', finish it.

Mr Langdon: How much more do you want? Why don't you name a spocifio sum ?

Mr Mackay: We aro not in a position to stato a sum, we only want a promise of assistance,

Mr MoHutchon having withdrawn his resolution, Mr Hawkins' amendment was carried,

Mr Langdoh: Mr Mackay as you are chairman of the County Council, can 1 ask you whether you go to other Road Board* asking for money, like you have been asking us. Mr Mackay: Other Road Bonds see the necessity of doing the work without being asked, and have done Boraa very creditable work unasked by the County, ibk £2,500 LOAS. Mr Mackay, in referring to this question said that it would be remembered that in 1879 the sum of £SOOO was borrowed by the East County Council, whioh at that time was tho govorning body as far north as to include the Caßtlepoint Riding. Of this sum £IOOO was spent on the Blairlogie road and £l6oo' on the Mungapakeha, tho balance being spent in works now in the Weßt County viz. the tho Hurinuiorangi bridge and Hantotara Hawearoad. When the Countier wore divided in 1883 the Cashpoint and Wamuioru Ridings were merged into the present County East bringing with them-the debt as above, of £2500. This had up to tho present been oharged to tho whole County and although the matter had been repeatedly brought before the Council, they have not till lately ' been able to find out the data as to the raising and expending of the loan. It was at first intended to charge special districts for the interest, but the legal opinion obtained on tho subject was that tho interest on the loan could only be raised over the whole county, and not over speoial areas. The Alfredfcon representative, Mr Macquarie, had brought tho question forward in the interests of his constituents, wjio thought that they were smarting under an injustice by having to pay interest on money spent outside their district, and when thoy were not in the same County, for when the monoy was raised'and spent, Alfredton Riding was in County West, but had through the division been placed in the East County. The County Council and ratepayers had a difficulty to face, and there was no doubt that the Wainuioru and Casfclepoint Ridings would have to pay tho intorest on the amount from 1883, which had been borne for the past two years by tho whole County. Mr Hawkins said they could not doubt tho equity of tho caso. Alfredton and the other ridings that were a part of old County Weßt had no part m the borrowing and expeuding of tho money There might be a legal way out of it for tho Caßtlepoint and Wainuioru ridiugs, but morally they were bound to pay tho interest, and ho did not expect that any present wanted anyone to pay their just debts. The matter had been before tho Council,andpreßsedby Cr Macquarrie. Papers had been found which threw % light on the subject in a very disagreeable way, especially as Bowlands was in ol(j County East, .

Mr Mackay. pointed out that the quojtion was broughtjbefore the ratepayers to give them aji opportunity, of knowing how things were going soithat they would not be taken by lurpriso by' coming eventi. .

Mr Beetham aaid that main roads wert nofcliioal roads,' and "Jihat Masterton wm as muoh interested h the main roadi to the back country, as the settlers residing there, for without them Buppue«oould not be,obtained, and- not be

be placed on the market. Ho contended that the local bodies were entitled to pay a fair share of the district expenditure, but would not be in ■ favor of "localising • these loans; too much of this.kind of - thing'had been done in the past. The Qovorninent were now throwing the Forty Mile Bush roads on the knds of the people, which was a great injustice to the whole county, and at the same time they were holding on to lands for unborn generations, so that they might get a higher, price from the people, and so reap the benefit of tho settles enorgy. Ho conoluded by expressing a hopo that tho V debt would be a county one and.that tie T settlers throughout would not look at the J

question ill a narrow sense.'., " .. Mr Hawkius questioned just to expect one portion of the 'county to pay the debts of the other, especially as they had no voice in the raising and spending of tho money Ha said there was a-strong point in Mr Beetham's argument that Masterton and Alfredton people should pay their share of the iuterest, they having gained advantage by the expenditure, although not having the spending of it. . The Chairman explained'that no vote could be taken on the question as it rested entirely with the County Council. It was only brought forward to give the settlers and ratepayers an opportunity of expressing their views on it. LOANS 10 LOCAL BODIES AOT. In introducing this subject Mr Maokay thought that as there were a number of works to complete in the distriot thoy should borrow three or four thousand pounds under this Act; the main road could then be completed which would materially reduce tho expenditure for ■maintenance, If they borrowed three thousand pounds it would entail a rate'of about one-tenth of a p nny in the £, m. eluding the 10 per cent extra they would have tocolleot. Mr R. Maunsoll wished to be informed what the ten per cent really meant in striking the rate. Mr Maokay explained that the Government wished to be on the safe side for their money, so they compelled the amount to be added to the rate to allow for any deficiency that might occur in getting the rate in. He hoped the .ratepayers would give an expression of opinion on this subjoct, as tho time was drawing noar to make thi'ir claims, It was entirely in their hands. If they wanted good roads they would go in' for tho loan, if they preferred mud they would let tho matter rest where it was. _Mr W. Smith, who took round a petition, explained that the ratepayers were greatly in favor of borrowing the money, and that they expressed themsolves highly pleased at being able to get money on ruch creditable and liberal terms.

Mi' Mcßutahon said they now had to ' pay about £275 a year for interest, and if they borrowed the amount proposed there would bo about £4OO a year ,to pay for interest, Ha would remind them that Mr Handyside had applied for a new Riding which would reduce the rating area of the Cashpoint ridiug, and those that were left in it wonld bo taxed beyond what they could bear; They must consider well before oaloulating expenses, for those that were going to be cut out would not have to Mr the burden of the amount raised. ' . Mr Beetham : Why not ? Mr MoHntcheon: Because they will not havo the bonofit of the expenditure, Mr Beetham; They take their stock • over the roade. Mr McHutehon: That is only a part of. the year, when they have fat stock. Mr Beetham; If they manage "tilings, light they should have tat stock 411 the year round, Mr MoHntohon : There's ; Tiribi Bridge, Oahanga Ferry and Pine Tree ' Bend deviation that could well be loft out of- the schedule, the latter could woll be left for a couple of years and wo.'tfoiild then Bee where the river will scour, and . locate the proposed doviation accordingly, Mr Hawkins said thero appeared to be a difficulty and a mixture pervading the meeting. There was a desire to cut out works at one end, and Bpend all the money at the Oastlepoint oud, A and the question was who would pay the interost 1 It was a question that wanted well considenng now before action was taken, and not wait till it was done, and then find that a difficulty had boen 'created that could not bo got out of without further expenditure. The question was, would the money proposed to be raised make tho road passable all through. It was no good having a bit of-good road here and there, with bugs between. The money would bi wasted unless the road was made good throughout. Mr Mackay pointed mitthafthoro were several important worts requiring atten-... tion in different parts of the district.. He did not expect a poll would bo oarried to"' t,wud the money in ono ■ particular place, suoli as the Mungapakeha or Oastlepoint. With referenco to the new Riding he did not think it would be oreated as ho considered there was too much Crown Lands in it, and he should oppose it on these grounds in the Oounoil. Looking at tho roads in a business senise, it used to cost 22s to send & bale of wool to "Wellington from' Tonui, and now it could be done for lis; that amount saved would represent the rates paid on a! property. Money would be well spent in making good roads that could ba used ; • all the year round. He considered it' Ffluld ba far hotter to spend money on interest than pitching hundreds of pounds in bog holes aa -they are now doin#, and onwa good road was made tho cost of maintaining it would be trifling. «A voice: You.would hsve-taget,better metal than thero is on the road po.w. Mv Mackay: Yes, we would have to look out and get it good in future. Mr McHutehon proposed, \ and; 'Sir Hawkins seconded, "Tint the sum'of £2OOO bo. applied for under" Bodies Loans Act, to be . distributed on following works :-Metslling Kumaro, ' £200; metalling Castlepoint ; rpadi'.isffoo; protection works Tinui bridge,/jSoO; . metalling Mungapakeha, £700; metalling riuui-Eketahuna: road, £SOO j. Total, £2OOO, and that the entire are&* in the Oastlepoint road distriot be subject to spocial rate for payment of interest." Mr R>. Maunsell said that the Pine Hill ' doviation should bo in the schedule, and that it should bo left in the hands of the ■ engineer to construct. It wag desirable to have this done as it waß the key to the Tinui district, and was now practically shutting out tho trado from Masterton. Mr Mackay pointed out that thore was an arrangement between Mr Elder and the Council in connection with the deviation which would have to be adhered to. Mr Elder in reply to a question said there was no doubt the Council would- he compelled to carry out their agreement, as it was very inconvenient for- him to have his fences like they wera, and placed him in a difficulty. Messrs Mackay, Beetham and'Maunsoil spoko in favor of the deviation, and thought that there was no fear uf tho creek teouring their work ai they, could lead it where they liked, and Mr Bremner had been.very successful in his protective •works, . / . • MrR. Maunsell moved as an-' amendmend, and Mr Elder seconded; ".fiat metalling and formation in the Jfongfc pakeht Valley b« carried out. on tfii" . 'undontandiw that ty deviation'to Ping Hillbt not formed and metalied if it cannot be done eafcly during the year 1887." ' v ■ Me

doubttho capabilities and judgment of ~, Mr Bremner in nil hia works, but if any- ■' • 'OD6 was to stiiiid on Pino Hill they could ,■ •"•'■ Bee that the river was setting in ' for tlio survey line, and if they waited till next : they would then see that the scour would have passed tho hill,; and if they ¥ wanted the deviation their thoy could •' : ' borrow the money. , • MrßJlauiisellsnid they should take tho opinion of an authority on the subject and not haggle among thomselves over it, He did not preach Mr Bruiniier's inhlli- •' bility, hiß work spoke for itself, Mr Hawkins pointed out the nature of tho stroam, it could be led where they liked by. digging a ditch. ••■■•-■' 'The'amoridmont was then put and lost ir ■ 'by nino votes.to eight, and tlie.resolution *- authorising the raising of £2OOO foi the works spocified was carried. ■ THE lIRK QUESTION, Mr K. Maunsell called attention to the . fact that the by-law.regulating tho width • of. tires used on the County roads came : ;, into operation soon, and pointed out the feeesity of enforoing it to keep the roads anything like decant order, Mr Mackay-road tho by-hw in con- ■'■•. nection ■ with the same; and also the jwmlties incurred by infringement, but tho only interest taken in tho question '•'.'•'■ was.Bumraod up in a question asked " Who is going to have the money, the County or Board!" SLATING THEM. ■ Mr Mcllutchon said that as this was tho first opportunity the Castlcpnint rate- ' payers had of meeting thoir representa'tives it was a good opportunity of slating ,'. them for .thoir past blunders to the district. Ho would commence by referring ' to the Stovens case, which took- £92 8s Cd nut of tho Castlepoint Riding, Ho could not foti this was tho fault of the

" ; ihtop;iyorß, the County and their Engi-,-4jjineor made a bungle (if the specification, and they alono should be responsible, and it should bo a county debt. Then (hero was the Tinui bridgo. When that was damaged by the floods tho Board, through Mr Maunaoll, applied to tho Council fur tho sum of £35 towards repairing it. When the application came before that body Mr Uawkiiw said, "why don't tho Castlepoint Board mend it out of tho £BOO balance they have in tho Bank, and not como to us?" Ho would

• likfi to know what it had got to do with Mr Hawkins or tho Council how much * Jjft Castlepoint Board had to their Then ajrain, Mr Hawkins tried to gover lib connection with the Castlepoint Board, and Mnco ho has been successful he appears to have severed his interest from them as well, and voted •- ugainsfc the district when lie promised them at the.election time to give them every support. Mr Bellis: When tho Wharekaka Bridgo . was washed away the Council mended it altogether, but when the Tinui Bridge got damaged, they wanted the A, Castlepoint Board to repair the wholo of v r :, it, and they only voted £lB towards it. [ Mr Maofjay explainod' that the Council could not vote money for work unless thoy got a report from thoir Engineer as to the work required to be done, Mr Hawkins said no doubt every member thought his own Board right and could •do nothing wrong. He explainod that the Council were powarloss to act in the Tinui bridqo question without aroport on it from their Engineer, and as tho Council had no funds he advised Mr Maurisell ~ to d;o back and spend some of tho Board's for tho repairs. Re Stevens' case Tpe recommended that the Council . ' should ohargo it to' the Castlepoint Riding as tho money was raised for a par- '• ticukrwoik.by loan, and the itom was relating to this special work, and ho did not thinkit just that the County should '■be burdened by paying for tho indebtedness of special works, or blundors' referring to'them, Eo leaving tho Castlepoint Board; no doubt it was a crime on his . pwt, but he was compelled to do so as ho could not get a penny of his rates from .them. Mr Bellis: Oh! Oh! Ji •Mr Hawkins: Mr Bellis says oh! oh 1 'i' Mr Bellis: How about the Taueru Bridge ? Mr Hawkins: Oh yes, 1 was promised some money for it but never got it, 1 than tried the Mastorton Board and was recommended to come back to the Castlepoint Board, and up to tho present timo nave not got a penny of the amount promised, although I tried hard for it. As this concluded tho business a vote of thanks to the chair was then carried and tho mooting dispersed evidently satisfied with the result of the Ajjathdriiig. JPB* AT 'iimiiM)r"nniii—mimi _ hum ■,..,. <^grnvnmmr%