Public Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2233, 30 October 1886, Page 2

Public Meeting.

At the close of the board meeting a vvollatteuded and highly influential meeting of r.itep lyers was held, convened by :id\er ti-.erm>nt. Mr Gane was in the eh tir, and explained the object of the meeting was to consider the advisability of >tiikinga rate for IS^7, md other imp >rtant nutters. He thought it advisable to consult the ratepayers. Though the money was not ieilly wanted for the roads, a Government subsidy was hanging to it, probably for the List time. In Mich a case it was advisable to get all the Government rivmey they could. He wi-hed to hi ar the ratepayers' opinion-.. In reply to Mr John Fisher, the clerk said last year's subsidy was £214, and a similar mniuuit was received by the county as subsidy. Mr Fisher said the advantage in striking aiate was that the county got a .share. Probably no rate would be required ne\t year, when there was no subsidy from the Government, m> they should take advantige of it while they could. Mr Lake, M.H.R., said this year the subsidy was ten shillings in the £', which would alter the figures to £107 each, board and council. He thought it advisable to strike a rate to provide for Hospital and Charitable Aid contributions out of the subsidy. He explained at length that in *pite of steps taken he was not .surf that they were out of the wood, and need not hollo. It was woith while to secure mine Government money, if only for the purpose of Hospital and Chaiitibie Aid if required. The county co-incils have baen trying to get their subsidies. The question of a special rate by the county for tha Hospital and Chaiitable Aid was discussed, Mr Gane saying he was informed that the county council did not intend striking such a rate. Mr Like referred to the county of Selwyn, which never had oecasi >n to levy a rate, nor did a j till the subsidie-. .started. Mr John Fi-.h.3r said though Pukekun had nothing to thank the council for, still it was better to pull with them in this. If a special rate were .struck the collection would be expensive, and though they stiuck a rato they need not spend the money. Ho moved " That it is idvisahle to strike a rat-* foi tin p'vsent year, to be come due on th^ 31>t Mireh." Mr E. U. Walker a-ked when it was to be co'Vcted. Mr Fisher slid it would not bo necessary till the 30tn June to mxine the subsidy. Mr Like s»conded the proposition. X Allen, W. Scott, W. Howie, luckei, it. Fishei, and others spoke. An amendment was moved by Mr W. Scott, and seconded by Mr Howie, that no rite bj struck. After a lengthy discussion the amendment was lo*t, the mover and seconder only \ntiiig for it. Mr Lake retmrked thnt out of other lidings in the county only one (Mangapiko) had struck no ratrj, consequently that liding was not likely to receive much oonsidflration from th^ country. The question of the delegation of the powers of the county council to the board was next considered. The county came in for a fair share of abuse. It was stated that the council could delegate all rating poueis. Mr Lake explained that they could only do this to a certain extent. The council would still have a pull on them. They could not free themselves from ceitain tirst chiii ges. Mr Fisher said the board for the last three years had mad*» six miles of new gravelled roads, and the county had not made one chain, but only repaired. Mr Lake pointed out the danger of severin? from the county if extensive works were needed, such us the renewal of Walker's Gully bridge, Waikato bridge, and others. Mr Tucker created a laugh by asking would the board take over the roads in tin- ir present condition. Mi Gane said P.ikekura had a lot of o\penenco of the county, an 1 did not like it. Their loads were better before tho county had to do with them. A discussion took place on the action to be taken. Mr Scott proposed, and Mr Watson tieoi.nded, "That stops be taken by the boaid to have the powers of tho county under Section 157, of the Act delegated to the board." Mr Lake again asserted that the roads would btill be county roads, and if a sudden emergency aiose, tho county would say, " your cut yourselves loose." Mr John Fisher proposed a vote of thanks to the road trustees for the action in calling the meeting. Hu also said much ffi iM'i lo w n ilue to their member. Mr Richard Reynolds seconded and en-dotsi-d the lemaiksiif the mover. Mr Lake rcmaiked that he only endeavoured to do his duty. The meeting then closed, I