KIHIKIHI TOWN DISTRICT. Meeting of Ratepayers.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2176, 19 June 1886, Page 2

KIHIKIHI TOWN DISTRICT. Meeting of Ratepayers.

A meeting wa» held«n Thursday ereirfng. Mr Farrell wan in the chair and read , thq notice in The Waikato Times convening/the; meeting. He also read section 10 61 thej Town District* Act, 1881, and also section 31 of the Municipal Corporations Act,! 1876. It was proposed by Mr W. Thomson and' seconded by Mr Doyle, "That in tiw opinion of this meeting it ii undesirable" that the Kihikihi town district should continue to form part of the Waipa County," — Carried. Moved by Mr J. W. Ellin, leeonded by Mr McNaught, " That by the Legislature enactments now in force with regard to boroughs, the jurisdiction of counties is wholly excluded therefrom, and that it would be very materially to the advantage of town districts if it were by legislation ' rendered optional for town district* to sever their connection from counties." — Carried. Proponed by Mr Buckworth, seconded by Mr T. Andewon, " That the concurrent administration of county councils, and in addition to that of town boards, presses very heavily on the ratepayers, whose burdens are thereby doubled.' —Carried. Proposed by Mr W. Thomsen, seconded by;Mr J. Anderson, "That a copy of these resolutions be submitted by the chairman of the town board to the Hon. J. L. Tole (the Minister for Justice) with a request that he will favourably consider the nine, with a view to the passing, during the present session, of an Act amending the Town Districts Act, 1881."— Carried. The Chairman said the next busineiH, according to advertisement, w^s to pass resolutions [to nullify the proposed encroachments and interference of the Wain* County Council. This, in the faqe. t «f > the resolutions just passed might not be required, and it would be for the mooting to decide. He read the petition of the Mangapiko ratepayers t» the House. He disagreed with the petitioners that the rates should not be collected by a local man. The, county collector Would call on a certain day and if the ratepayers had nob the raonejr on that ; particular day he would possibly not < call again, but might sue them. With j a local man, however, the case would be different, fur if the prisoner had not the ! necessary anaoumt on that particular day he could collect the. next day, or the rate.-

payers could call at the collector's house and pay the rates. As regards the licensing committee ht did not think it Advisable for the council to be the committee. It would, in his opinion, the better to have local men on the ooipniittee who knew the people. Hejxaw something in one of the papers to the effect that ' the committee* would probably b? elected every three years, instead of annually as at present. This' Van a step in tha right direction. Mr Ellis proposed, and Mr Quattrough ] seconded, "That Mr Farrell, chairman, and the members of th<v town board attend the meeting at Ohaupo on the <£2nd mot., on behalf of the Kihikihi Town 'District to oppo.«n any increase of power on the part of the Wai pa County Council." — Carried. In reading the sections of the tiro Acts referred to, the chairman referred to part 11, of the Municipal Corporations Act which showed in respect to streets, drainage and levels, nuisances, waterworks, prevention of fires, lighting, tramways, buildings for public amusements, places of recreation, charitable institutions and public pounds. As regards the sections referring to drainage and novels, be pointed out that the professional service* wouldfabsorb a whole year's rates. These works were absolutely necessary, and there was no option but to carry them out. In addition to these burdens, the town district had to bear a share of the council's indebtedness^ The town had its own debentures to meet, towards which the council contributed nothing ; the town also had to contribute a proportionate amount to the council's debentures. Referring to the wain street, he said that by an amendment Counties Act passed last session, a street was defined at being the full width. This street is under the oontrol and management of the,eouncil, and according, to the Act, no one oonld move •> verandah tiostor lift a shore) full of earth without 'referring to the emineil at Ohaupo. But notwithstanding tbo Act, the town board had practically to keep the street in repair. A rot* of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to a close. Mr Teasdale, who was present, asked what the amount of rates collected was. Mr Gordon said the amount was £103. Mr Teasdale was about to speak when the chairman said the moating was only for ratepayers and residents of the town district. Mr Teasdale contended that it was a matter of public interest, and that he should therefore be allowed to spoak. A lively discussion endued, during which the chairman threatened to leave the chair. Mr Tenxdalo not preHsing the point further, bu*ine«i was then proceeded with.