HAMILTON BRIDGE—TOLL EXEMPTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1392, 4 June 1881, Page 2

HAMILTON BRIDGE— TOLL EXEMPTION.

Purmwxt to .advertisement feigned by Hi 6 Woi&hip the Mayor, on nquisition of the burgesses, a public meeting was held last night in the Town Hall, to devise means for getting the above-named bridge tree to public traffic. Although, the weather was somewhat inclement, the attendance was ne\ erthele&s good — compiisiug, besides townspeople, residents fiom Tamahere, Kinkinroa, Te Aroha, and other districts outside the township. The member for Waipa (Mr F. A. Whitiikei) was also present, and took part in the movement. — The Mayor (Mr Kno\) presided, and conducted the business, M'hich lie introduced by reading the ad\ ertiseinent convening the meeting. — Ml R. (Iwynnepioposcd Micfiifctiesolution — "That it was desirable for, and just to the interests of the distuet, that a sum of money should be placed on tiic estimates for the ensuing financial year to defiay the liability now existing on the bridge ; the following boiiiir urged as reasons in .support of the proposal : 1 . That the bridge forms a coupling- link between the termination of t! c Gre.it South Road on the west bank of the Waikato at Hamilton, and its recommencement at the east bank ; also in respect that it p7 - ovides the only direct means of communication between Raglan on the west cociM of this North Island, and the Thames Valley on the East. 2. That from the city of Auckland southwards by way of the main road to the boundary of this provincial district no toll-rate is levied in respect of any other bridge. 3. That it is inequitable that a small portion of tho community f-hould bo burdened with the maintenance of a bridge, necessary for main-line arterial communication through the very heart of this northern portion of the Colony." In further support of tho motion, Mr (xwynne argued that residents located within a radius of five miles of the bridge were made to contribute at least four-fifths of the traffic rates collected, a circumstance which, of itself, showed how unfairly the burden of its maintenance fell to be borne by a section of the community. Such a state of tilings was. calculated to retard local enterpn&e, ami otheiwi&e operate prejudically against the material interest of the place. He had been one of the most enthusiastic in advocating the importance of getting the bridge erected in the first instance, consequently he appeared before them with the better grace in the effort to secure the further concession of getting it proclaimed free. (Applause). The motion was seconded by Mr William Jones, and on being put was carried unanimously. Mr Edward McGarrigle moved — "That a committee, consisting of the chairmen of Raglan, Waipa, Piako, and Waikato counties, the Mayor of Hamilton, and the chairmen of Newcastle, Kirikiriroa, Cambridge, and Hamilton highway districts,, and Messrs Vialou, trwynne, Camming, and Captain Runciman, together with the members for Waikato and Waipa electoral districts, with power to acid to the number, be delegated to prepare a petition to the House of Representatives, praying that effect be given to the foregoing resolution, and that the committee be authorised to solicit subscriptions front the public of the four conterminous counties, in furtherance of the objects aimed at— a quorum to consist of five." In speaking to the motion, the mover argued that the traffic impost went a very long way towards retarding the settlement of the surrounding country, and in that way the progress of the township was kept back. Budges of similar importance in other parts of the colony were free, and he dicl not see upon what principle of fairness Government could resist their appeal. The state of

parties in Parliament at the coming session promised to be such that a claim of this nature, if strongly urged by the district representatives, was not at all likely to be made in vain ; at all events, he hoped the Waikato representatives would sec their way to make the abolition of traffic charges on this bridge an i mportan t consideration in the disposal of their vote and support. Mr Samuel McLornon secon<j£u the proposition, which was likewise carried without dissent. A desultory conversation ensued relative to the constitution, the duties, and procedure of the committee, in the course of which Mr Whitaker explained that the object aimed at was the getting of the projected petition before Failiament. For that purpose two tilings were requisite — first, the preparation of a petition, setting forth the grounds upon which the exemption was claimed, the obtaining of signatures thereto ; and secondly, to provide a sum of money sufficient for defraying the expenses of the petition — the cost of canvassing the district, &c. The committee proposed "Has no doubt a scattered one ; but then the difficulties of getting its membets brought together would be overcome by the quorum decided upon. They had a sufficient number present to do the preliminary work, put the matter in training, and that being done, he had no doubt but that they would be quite ready to co-operate with them in getting signatures and the influence of their particular districts otherwise enlisted on behalf of the movement. The Chairman coincided in that opinion, and further urged that the saving of time was a matter of importance under the ciicumstances. There was every reason for supposing the financial pioposals of Government ■would be biought down at an eaily peiiod of the session, and he aijpiehended it would bo necessary in that case that their claim should be before Pailiament at as caily a, date as possible. The discussion resulted in a proposal being carried that a subscription should be opened forthwith for defraying piolnninary costs. On the contubutions being counted up, the Chairman announced that a bum ot £14 had been collected, which he pronounced to be a very good earnest of what the district was prepared to do in the matter. Information was also elicited to the effect that a sum of not less than £30 would be lequircd and in that case it was ari.mgcd furthei contribution's should be solicited. Before separating Mi Whitaker said he felt called upon to make one rem.uk. He saw amongst those piesent tliattlic outlyinsfdistricts were ciedital.ly represented. They had one gentleman in patticulat amongst them who hid only recently came to the place. He was a gentleman well advanced in years, and despite the unpropitious state of the weather had come from a considerable distance. "What rendered that circumstance moic noteworthy, was that a large mumbcr of persons, residents in Hamilton, were conspicuous by their absence. Those persons wie generally arnonj^t the fii>t to cry out against this or any other b.iid ship, yet they would not put themselves to the trouble of attenotg a meeting at little or no personal inconvenience to themselves, at which steps for 7 cmoving such grieveunces are being matured In deed, these wcie the paitics who were usually found loudest in their complaints, and yet they would not, when they had the opportunity, move a finger lo have tlie^e complaints obviated. He fully recognised the claims made by the distiict to have the bud^e traffic made fieo, and, as (heir member in the House of Representative, ho would bend the whole of his energies to the t'isk of convincing the Government, ai also convincing the country that these claims weio only reasonable, and ought to be given effect to. If he succeeded, well and good ; no one would be better pleased than himself, but if not, he would take care to prevent thot-e gentlemen who bad absented themselves fiom the meeting when they ought to ha\c been tlieic that mqlit, fiom casting out their usual leflextions upon then lepiesentatnes simply because they might not happen to succeed in this object. (Applause). He concluded by moving a \ ote of thanks to those gentlemen who had come f l om a distance to assist them at this confeiencc. The proposition wa> .seconded by Mr Gwynnc, endorsed by the Chan man, and warmly suppoited by the meeting. Mr 13.1 i ugh, (Tam.iheic), letuined thanks, and m doing so, said lie believed the special lefeience had been made to him, as he believed he was the only one present who answeied the fullei deicnption furnished by Mr Wlntakei. Ho had always felt it to be his duty as well as his pnwlegc to take an actne interest in the affans of a distiict to which ho might happen to belong. He .sympathised with the remaik made about those who ought toha\e been present, but who had not taken the trouble to attend. It was that lack of active interest which had given New Zealand affahs a ccitain amount of bad odour. Befoie arming m New Zealand, he had heaul a gieat deal concerning the onoimons indebtedness of the Colony. Now, however, that he had seen the Colony — had an oppoitunity for foimingan opinion lespcctmg the value of its resomces, he could not help feeling that these adverse ciiticisms were wholly unjustifiable. What was the indebtedness of New Zealand aftei all? He considered both the indebtedness of the Colony and the taxation about winch they had also heaul so much, was very light indeed. The formei, he found, did not equal the capital account of se\eial of the English railway companies. The operations ot one line with which he had been intimately connected would have more than out-matched the indebtedness of New Zealand. That state of things in a country like New Zealand ga\e no cause for alarm at all. Indeed, lie was amongst the number who thought there would be no great harm done, even although they went a little deeper into debt, so long, indeed, as the money was well spentspent on railways, and the opening out of arterial communications. (Applause). Uevertintc to the subject more particularly on hand, he concluded by saying he quite concurred in the movement for getting the bridge free. The maintenance of the bridge might very well be piovided for otherwise. Under the existing arrangement it was a nuisance. It placed a certain restriction on traffic, and no place could thrive properly &o long as its traffic was hampered. A vote of thanks having been accorded to the Chairman, the meeting separated.

A t the clohc of the public meeting, a meeting of the committee was held, at •which the following petition was drafted and adopted :—: — 1. That the Bridge over the Waikato River at Hamilton is a great boon, and advantage to the four counties of Waikato, Waipa, Raglan, and Piako. 2. That heavy tolls are levied thereon, and that the said Bridge is the only means of crossing the Waikato River for a distance of twelve miles north and eight miles south, and is upon the highway of the Great South Road, and the only means whereby your petitioners can reach the railway from the Waikato and Piako Counties, and pass from Waipa to the Waikato and thence to other Provincial Putricts, it is therefore, desirable that it should be made a free Bridge. 3. That the said Bridge would be a great feeder to the railway at Hamilton, bat for the toll? thereon, and would be

largely used in 'thfe distribution of goods from the Railway to the Waikato and Piako counties. 4. That your petitioners find upon examination that the tolls have been fixed at such a high a rate in order to enable the Borough to raise the amount required to defray the annual interest and sinking fund on a loan of £7000, which hat. been its poition of the cost of the Bridge, the Government contributing only £3000 out of the £10,00, such tolls having been given as security for the &aid loa,n. 5. That numbeis of other bridges with fewer public interests in question, which have been erected entirely at the expense of the Colouy, and at much greater cost, are open to the public free of tolls, would respectfully draw your attention to the fact that the Bridge i*> on the highway of the Great South lioad, and as such should bo a chaige upon the Colony. And your petitioners would humbly .suggest that your Honourable House will place a sufficient sum upon the Estimates tor the purpose of p tying off the aforesaid loan and making the s lid Bndgo free, and not a Tell Btidge, and your petitioners will ever pi<sy-