SPORTING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3328, 7 October 1889, Page 2

SPORTING.

Christciiubcb, October 7. Ohaiushot is scratched for the New Ze»]i«d Cup,. " ' '/

Proposed lasterton County. A meeting convened by Mr E, E, Chamberlain, at the request of several cottiers, was held at the Club Hotel on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the desirability of petitioning Parliament to pass an Act constituting the Mastertonßiding of the Wairarapa North County a Comity in itself, It was intended at first by the promoters that the meeting should be of a semi-private nature, and merely for the purpose of considering whether it would ho advisable to form a committed to take active measures, hut the subject being one in which ratepayers aro greatly interested, it became known, and a larger number than was anticipated put in an appearance. Mr Chamberlain in oponing the proceedings, stated that he had been requested, as Chairman of the lato County Suspension Committee -to convene the meeting, It would be remembered that some time ago an endeavor had been made by the ratepayers of the Wairarapa North County to suspend the operations of the Council, but although the cause was a decidedly popular out it failed, because some of the signatures attached to the petition did not correspond with the names on the County roll, although they wore one and the some. The question was one of vital importance to ratepayers generally, and as ho perceived that there wore members of local bodies present he would be glad to have an opinion on the matter, and moved that Mr W. Jessen, Chairman of the Mauriceville Road Board take the chair.

Mr Jessen on taking the chair said that many others besides himself were of opinion that if a County wero constituted out of the Masterton Riding of the present County a great deal of money could bo saved by the ratepayers. Ho might as well state at once that it was the intention of the promoters of the scheme to return members pledged to suspend the new County and place the work in the Board's hands. Tho balance-sheet of tho County, ending 81st March, was printed and published as a supplement to the Waiuahapa Daily on tho 28th June last, and like the administration of the Rabbit Act, it was wonderful and perplexing. The amount set down for salaries in the gensral account was £283 19s Gd, but to his knowledge the salaries in connection with the County wero much greater. An item of £72 odd represented the office expenses, and this sum appeared to, not only himself, but many others as extravagant, The sum of 1115 8s Cd was paid to members as travelling expenses, and tho ratepayers would therefore see that a deal of monoy spout in keeping up the expensive establishment could bo saved by forming the Riding into a Mastertou County as suggested. If the settlers could not return representatives who would work for the benefit of the population as a whole without incurring this expense which members of Road Boards never seek, ho thought it was absolutely necessary that reform of some kind should be introduced. Tho very fact of having two local bodies levying rates of a kindred nature justified the action about to be taken, aud he was satisfied that if tho matter was carefully handled the ratepayers would reap a substantial benefit. Tho Opaki to Mauawatu Road was not so much used since the railway lino opened which carries the heavy requirements of the settlers, and the maintenance should cost a nominal sum. The other main roads within the Biding could be kept in order for the sums paid to the Councillors and the office expenses, He had no idea that the meeting was to assume tho present proportions and . under the circumstances ho would move, before any definite action be taken, that a committee bo formed tj obtain the information requisite to warrant the ratepayers in the Masterton Riding petitioning Parliament to constitute the now County on the same basis the Pahiatua settlors petitioned, Mr Cotter asked the Chairman what steps would bo taken to obviate the necessity of striking a county j rate.

The chairman explained that if tho Masterton County were constituted tho ratepayers who had been instrumental in its formation would take caro that the members elected would be pledged to suspend county operations, and place the responsibility of improvements, maintenance, &c, of roads upon the Road Boards, the member of which came in direct contact with tho ratepayers, who would be' enabled to see that their money was being expended for the purpose for which it had been levied. Mr Woodroofe considered that the Counties Act could liavo been framed in about a fourth of tho spaco with advantage to the people. Ho much approved of the measures about to be ■taken by the oppressed ratepayers. Between ono rate and another the people of the colony were handicapped to the utmost degree, Any movement to lessen taxation would have his hearty approval, With regard to the expenditure of the County office, ho considered it excessive, and he was not alone in his opinion. Mr A. Stewart had considered for a long time that they had been excessively taxed, hi too attempt which had hitherto been made to reduce tho evil had somehow or other failed. He would like to know if the present meeting had any good authority for expecting to succeed in their efforts; if so, he would be only 100-glad to support them, The Chairman referred to his previous remarks, and stated that more than half of the rates now paid by the settlers could bo saved.

. Mv Kenall, who was present, explained that tho ipeting was called fp,r a, very desivablo purpose, There might, howover, bo difficulties in the way, such as obtaining the sanction of tho House to pass the Act, It was all very well tp, say that the member for tho distriot would gladly respond to tho wishes of the people, but it must be understood that thero were wheels within wheels, and such a thing occured sometimes amongst members as, '■' yon help me and I'll help you," It was just possible that after they went to all the trouble of placing tho petition before the House the bill might be thrown out by underhand scheming, The Chairman intimated that the Committee, if appointed,. would endeavour by all possible means to have the wishes of the people oavried PHt- ' " ' ' ■. ... On the motion oi the Chairman the following committee was unanimously elected to take the preliminary steps towards carrying out the object for which the meeting had been called:—Messrs Kenall, lessen, Duick, T. Brown, Gunderson, A, \V.' Cave, H. 0. Osborne, D, McKenzio, (Woodlands), and E, E. Chamberlain, with, power to add to their number, y A subscription'list iyas started for

funds to defray costs and was liberally 'responded to. , >■:; .. : A meeting of the Committee was afterwards held at which resolutions were passed to the offeot' that energetic measures be at once'adopted towards carrying put tlie. purpose of the meeting. : . • ' Eketahuiia Road BoardA special meeting of tlie Board was held on Saturday evening last in the Board's office; present, Messrs A. Anderson (chairman), )L Neilson, Mathieson, and Morrris. The chairman stated that Mr Bright, who was unavoidably absent in Wellington, was very anxious for something to be done to the Makakalii footbridge, carried away by the recent flood, and had asked him to bring the matter forward, Mr Neilson said the peoplo had taken a right a right of way through his father's property, but his father intended-closing tb gate, and then they would have to come just as far as if they used the big bridge, Mr Mathieson said he understood the footbridge was only put up as a temporary convenience, ■;

Later on a petition was pvesented to the Board from the ratepayers in Eketahuna VVesE, suggesting that the footbridgo be at once ro-erected in a more suitable sito. The petition stated that the bridge was of importance as tlio nearest approach to the main road, post office, aud railway station. Seventeen signatures were appended, being all the ratepayers in that district excopt one. Several of the settlers attended and spoke strongly in favor ot the bridge, It was pointed out by the chairman that the big bridge would soon be complete, and then there would be no possibility of their being without supplies. Mr Mathieson said it was their own money and thoy could liavo it spoilt as tney pleased. Mr Neilson informed the Board that Mr Dawson had told him the scaffold on his bridge would be so fur completed that horses and drays would be able to cross from that day.

Mr Sparksman said that was all very well, but ho did not intend to risk his children's lives, and if the wind was high it would be unsafe for women to cross without a landrail, Mr Neilson did not see the benefit to settlers. Thought it would be simply wasting money to erect a bridge to be washed away by the next flood. The money would bo hotter spent on roads he thought, Mr Hayward said it was nearly threo times tho distance to the railway station by tho big bridge. The settlers proposed getting a path through the Government land to the station from tho main road. The Chairman said it was their own money and they could have it spent as they liked. Mr Neilson admitted tho money was theirs (the Parkville settlers), hut if they did their duty as a Board they should prevent them spending it foolishly. Mr Sparksman thought the Board might have saved tho bridgo if they had taken a little more notice and screwed it up tighter. Tho bridgo was very handy to them (Parkville settlors), It was finally arranged that Messrs King and Neilson visit tho place to pick a suitable sito for its re-erection. Mr Mathieson asked in what respect Mr McLachlan's work at Parkvillo was incomplete.

Mr Neilson said that Mr McLachlan had come to him and asked him to visit Parkvillo with him, He had done so, and found all tho pegs correct and in their proper places, Ho considered an apology was due to Mr McLachlan from tho Board, as it appeared he had shunned his work from the Boards action at last meeting, and such was not the case. The Chairman said it was a mistake, and as the slur had appeared in print theboard wished their apology also to be read. It was then carried unanimously, That the board feels a public apology is due to Mr McLachlan, as, at their last meeting (through a mistake) an entirely undeserved slur was cast on that gentleman's work." Mr McLachlan was in attendance and thanked the board. The board decided to call tenders, to bo opened in a fortnight, for road formation from Mr Jones' to bridge (about 18 chains); from bridge to McGill's contract, about 18 chains; and about 20 chains on N. and S. roads, Newman, Mr Morris said there were five chains to bo graded on South-road to connect with rurals. Mr McLachlan was instructed to comploto tho gap by noxt Saturday. Also 10 chains of levelling at Parkville.

Decided to advertise three times in Wairarapa Daily and Mail for tenders. Mr Morris said Mr J. Scott (Section Block VI, Mangaone) was in want of a track to his section. There was a oreek or two to cross, Estimated cost JM or £5. Tbo matter was left over till next regular mooting, Clerk to ascertain how the Central Road stands as re gards funds, Messrs Anderson aud Morris to view it in the moantime, The clerk laid beforo the hoard a Jotter from Mr J. C. Madsen (section 189, BlockXlV, Manganone), asking to be allowed to fall road-line adjoin--ing his property, and offering to do the same at £1 15s per acre, forty i chains in all, Decided to allow Mr Madsen to fall the lot, Some discussion as to which would be the least expensive to the heard, Masterton or Eketahutia, for hearing of case Eketahuna Road Board v. Bryant, followed Mr Morris said if tho hoard took a wise course, they would withdraw it altogether. The Chairman said they could not discuss, that question any more. Tho Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Beard, asking him to bring the case on in Masterton if possible, Mr Neilsen then moved "That the Board go into Committee to open tenders." Carried.

On resuming the Chairman said that there wore nearly twenty tondors some very close indeed, Tho Board had not decided which to accept, but would mako their decision known on Wednesday next at 7 p.m. Mr Maunsell applied for a. dray road into his placo; distance about 9 chains; estimated cost 60s. Granted, Mr M. Neilson to employsomeone to do the work.

The Chairman informed the Hu,;rd ho had received an application from M v McGill for extras. In a- letter he held McCiill said he was sorry the Board had broken word as on the 24thAugust they told him -'they wouldwrite to Mr Hay ward to see what was duo tome, and] think it unfair to keep mo so long out of my money through MrHayward's mistakes." ' : Mr Hay ward said he hadreoeived ■one or two teWw from JlcQill, H

could not sco Lis way clear to recommend any extras. Mr McGill should have finished stumping and clearing before ho started the formation, and then tlio pegs would liavo been adjusted, McGiH had agreed to say nothing more of the matter, as ho had let him off certain work by which ho I had saved a good sum. The Chairman; You say McGill was working on formation one day. He says ho was working a week. Mr Hayward said he was not sun, but Mr Sparksman, who was present Jsj could inform the Board. v MrSparksmim said ho could not' say exactly, but knew that a horse, dray and three men were working two day?, mid one man a week on the formation. Mr Mathieson said ho might be mistaken, but from what be saw of it the Board wag >fLi to pay McGill for Hayward'a Tiiistakes. and Hayward hud let McGill off work to countor-balanco mistake If it was Mr Hayward's mistake the Board ought to deduct money from i him. ) The Chairman said they could not * do so.

Mr Eoberts said ho objected to monoy being paid to a ratepayer. The Chairman told him if ho had any complaint to make he had better make it in a proper manner. The matter was left oyer. Re Deep Creek bridge (Parkville) alternative plans of old and new sites were laid before the Board, Mr King explained to the Board that the euUinpj was not so deep, but there wnj]flr nasty slip, the toe of which was iu the creek on the old site, The objection to the new site was the heavy cutting, but he considered it would be a good and safe road. The question of sito was very evenly balanced, but he thought the Board would savo extra cost of new site in time, as the road would want loss repairing. ' Proposed by Mr Mathieson, and seconded by Mr Morris, that site No. 1 (new site) be adopted, That Mr King be instructed to prepare plans and specifications, and tho, Board call for tenders at the next meeting. . Ee map of Board's district, two letters wero read, one from Mr Q.,/ Fannin, stating he would supply the Board with a map lor £6los, but as the Hutt Special Settlement was not surveyed at the time ho would charge • extra to putit A letter from Mr Tronson offering to draw map showing all sections, roads, streets, h., including Hutt Special Settlement, on paper, and to allow room for. any new work up to the Board's boundary, for £7 10s. Mr Tronson said he was enabled to do it at this low rate owing to having most of tlio information already compiled.—Offer accepted. Mr Fogden asked if tho Board intended doing anything to No 5 contract. The Board had promised to see i.ito it at last meeting. The chairman said ho understood it was off tho road line. Mr Fogden said the Board had promised to send Mr McLachlan to look at it, If the Board would do the work on this side, settlers wore willing to do it on tho other. Tho chairman :■lt shall be looked after, Mr Fogden,' The meeting then closed.