THE BATTLE OF THE NEWCASTLE DISTRICT BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1107, 29 July 1879, Page 2

THE BATTLE OF THE NEWCASTLE DISTRICT BOARD.

Tins important engagement took place at Te KoAvhai, on the aftes-noon of the 23rd instant. The invading forces were commanded by Captain Dav, Avho Avas ably assisted by Lieutenant Corboy, of the W.C C. The latter ofiicer has hitherto been looked upon as an impartial representative of both ends of the district, othenvisc he would not now be a W.C.C., nor Avould still hold a seat in tho local Board, as he owes his return, beyond doubt, not to the people he fou<'lit for, but to those he so heartlessly deserted. HoAvever, the whole available force of that young and tender district, under tho command of the above-named officers, marched to the attack-, and were supported by a reserve completely concealed from vieAv.

The army of defeuce was commanded by General Byron, Captain Harris, and Lieutenant Morris, who, by a splendid flank movement, completely routed the invading forces—whipping" them with their oavu birch. Captain Day and Lieutenant Corboy A\'erc spared on account ofjthcir rank and postion, to slicav there Avas no hard feeling. This was, undoubtedly, a generous act, considering their followers Avere first rescued from obsecurity by the philanthropic notions of their elder brethren on the Waipa, and havo ever since been favoured Avith tho lion's share of all that Avas going: yet, like spoilt children, they turned to sting tho hand that fed them, and, as a first reward, they Avill ha\'e to content themselves with as much and no more than they arc entitled to. And should they continue in a state of rebellion, it is just probable they may bo left to shift for themselves, and ponder, at their leisure, over the good things they might have had. One thin"* is certain, there Avill be a change in the representation of tho riding next election. Too, much credit cannot be given to tho neutral officer appointed for the occasion as OAving to his dignified conduct much Avaste of time was spared.

In concluding my report of this memorable engagement, I AV ould like to follow the example of the present com* mander, and throw oil upon the troubled waters. Unwholesome and selfish strife tends to no good. A little reflection will, I trust, convince our ambitious friends at the other end, that fair play, with a little mixture of give and take, will be best for all m the long run. I must bear sorrowful testimony to tho very delicate state of health of Engineer Dawson and General Byron Most cordial thanks are duo by all to the courtesy ox Messrs Carpenter and Byrou.—Spkclvs Corresi?ondeet, Ngaruawahia, July 24 th, 1879, J »

K&NG1A0IIIA HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

Te Awamutu, July 26. The Annual Meeting of Ratepayers of the above district was held in the Public Hall, Te Awamutu, on Saturday last. Mr John Taylor Potts was elected to the. Chair, and aftor reading the advertisement convening the meeting, called upon the Chairman of the late Board to read the Statement of Audited Accounts, which was as follows : % RECEIPIS. By £ s- d. Balance from last year .. 203 17 9 Rate Collected .. .. 271 12 3 Special from Government: Roads for natives at Puniu 60 0 0 From Government: Subsidies, &c 858 19 1 From Government: Land Fund .. .. .. 47 17 8 Share of County Fund .. 163 17 0 Sale of Dog Collars .. 11 0 0 Total.. .. .. .-.£1,617 3 9 EXPENDITURE. To £ s. d. Forming and Constructing Roads .. .. .. 1,021 8 3 Forming and Constiucting Roads for native purposes 60 0 0 Bridges and Culverts ... 73 14 q Gravelling 36 0 0 Cartage, freight & material 85 4 0 District Pound .. .. 24 9 0 Salaries: Engineer and Surveyor .. .. .. 76 1 6 Salaries and Rate Collecting, two years .. .. '.. 78 0 0 Printing and Advertising .. 24 19 0 Postage and Stationery .. 219 8 Total £1,484 15 10 Balance remaining on June 30, £132 7s lid. The supplementary statement of exponditnre was also read, and fully accounted for the balance remaining as per audit. Several questions were put by ratepayers to Mr Sloane as to the legality of an item which, was shown in the supplementary return, anu charged as " Bank interest on overdraft." Some gentleman present also questioned the right of •'the Board to borrow money for public use.

Mr Ploane explained that it was quite right, and, in his opinion, legal to do so. It was, ho said, in the interest of the ratepayers, and for the good of the public generally that such was done to carry on road and other necessary works early in the summer months, when the weather was favorable and labor plentiful. But usually, at such an early time, neither the rates nor tho Government subsidies are then available.

Proposed by Mr Andrew Kay, " That the accounts, as read, be paid"; but, in doing so, he (the niever) took exception to the spending by the late Board of a portion of a sum of £2OO, which he understood was specially set apart for the bnilding of the Te Awamutu Bridge. He thought the mattor should be referred back to the auditors.

Seconded by Mr R. Bell. Mr Sloane reminded the speaker that the accounts were examined by tho Auditors, Messrs Bockett and MandeDO, nnd found correct, and that in the matter of expenditure, the Board was responsible for their own actions. He found, he said, on reference to the Bank Book the sum in question was not shown and not distinguished as " special" from the other items of ordinary Government revenue. The bridge, would, hoAVever, be built, and the money would, he said, be forthcoming to do so, as soon as required. For some time several gentlemen discussed the case fairly, pro. and cou. when it ultimately became uninteresting, and the business of tho meeting" proceeded seveuely on the even tenor of its way, by the following gentlemen being duly elected Trustees for the current year •. —Messrs John Hutcbiiison, Alex. Bruce, Andrew Ramsay, William Sloane, and Abraham Mason "Wainvh'ight. Auditors: Messrs J. K. Roche and J. Winstone. Fenceviewers, A. White, and J. Fox.

The next business before the meeting was the taking the opinions of the ratepayers as to that part cf the Rangiaohia District from the Railway Station at Te Awamutu to Fleming's corner being taken from tho district and handed over to the Pukekura Board. On this question there was evidence of a dasire on the part, of many of the old and influential settlers that the district should remain intact. This feeling was intensified by the fact that many of the gentlemen present who held office as Trustees and Chairmen of former Boards were conscious that they had done thoir duty well and fairly to thai part of the district and to the people who now wanted to secede. But when Mr J". T, Edwards addressed the meeting, and stated that it" was not from the fact that full justice had not been done them by the old Board, nor from a knowledge that they had not received a fair share of the revenue of the district, that they wished for separation, but from a laudable desire of having a sanded road to their own doors, which the Pukerimu Board were willing to do, matters began to assume a different complexion. Messrs. Flemmiug and Kusab also addressed the meeting on the same subject, and with much force and tact ably advocated thera transfer to Pakekura, in order to get a gravelled road to the railway station. After considerable discussion and delay it was finally agreed to by both sides, that tha Pukekura District should not come to the railway station, but to the first angle at the Cross Roads, leading to Mr McLaren's, and that a survey be be made and the boundaries defined

by the respective Boards concerned.

The following resolution was proposed by Mr J. Cunningham, and seconded by Mr C. J. Storey : That this meeting, hearing that it is proposed by the Government to alter the site of the Railway Station, at Paterangi Road, by making it on Taylor's Flat, desires to impress on the Government that the proposed alteration will be merely making the road to the station longer, over bad ground, to the inconvenience of a largo district, and that the Chairman of this meeting forward this resolution to the Member for Waipa, requesting him to use his influence 4 in having the station retained at Paterangi Road. The resolution, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. Piopo3ed by Mr J. H. Mandeno, and aeoonded by Mr W. Sloane :

That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is highly desirable that the allotments already surveyed in the township of Te Awamutu, should be sold as early as possible; and, that the incoming Board be requested to urge the matter upon the proper authorities. This resolution met with the hearty approval of the meeting, as it was known that there were several J. ersons desirous to build in the township, if the allotments were sold.

On the motion of Mr C. J. Stcrey, a vote of thanks was tendered to the late Board, which was carried by acclamation. At a subsequent meeting of the Trustees, Mr William Sloame was again selected chairman of the Board for the current year.