THE CASE OF CAMBRIDGE WEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2253, 16 December 1886, Page 3

THE CASE OF CAMBRIDGE WEST.

The subject of the petition (if the ratepayers of Cambridge West in favour forming Cambridge West into a town dis trict came up a^ain at Tuesday's meeting of the Wai pa County Council. The Chairman remarked that he had heard of a meeting at Cambridge, at which a vote of ceinurt was passed upon the council. He was at fiwt of opinion that they could not receive a second petition, but he found that they would be in order, as there might bo some fresh signatures upon the petition about to to be brought before them. Messrs Cr.dworth and Hyatt attended on behalf of the petitioners in favour of forming Cambridge West into a separate town board. The Chairman said that as no new petition was before the council, he was of opinion that there was nothing befoio the council but the old petition and this was dealt with last meeting. Unless the whole of the membeis of the council were present they could not reconsider it. One of the deputation then handed in a new petition, stating that as the Act expired at the end of the year, it was absolutely necessary to take action at once. The clerk then lead the new petition with 3."3 t>ignatnres, which was as follows : — To His Exckllkxcy thk Govkunou. Tho humble petition of the undeisigned resident householders of the District of Cambridge West, in the Provincial District of Auckland, in the colony of New Zealand, showeth, 1. "That your petitioners, resident householders of the District of Cambridge West, in the Provincial District and colony aforesaid are desirous of having the sud district (the boundaries and area of which are hereafter described) constituted a town district under the provisions of the Town District Act, 1881, and 5 the Acts amending the same. 2. "That such district comprises one continuous area containing not more than two square miles, and has no one point within it wore than four miles distant from any other point. 3. That such distiict contains a population of more than (oO) fifty householders. 4. That the boundaries are, [here follow-.s description.] 5. That your petitioner*, are desirous that the town board shall con sist of five membeis. 0. That your peti tioners believe that the constitution of the district, under the Town Di-tiicl Act would materially tend to its advancement, and your petitioners, &c, <fee. [Here follow the signatures of 3.~> householders.] The following is a copy of the counter petition :—: — To the Chairman and Councillors of the Waipa County Council. The humble petition of the undersigned householders of Cambridge West humbly showeth :— l. That it is proposed by certain persons purporting to be householders in Cambridge West to apply to your council to form the township of Cambridge We.st into a town district. 2. Ihat we believe that the granting of such power would be greatly to the disadvantage of this district if formed, the expense would be heavy and far beyond the means of the ratepayers. An office would havp to be kept open three days a week with a clerk in attendance, also other officials maintained ; (b) that there is no prospect at present of tbe population being increased, by the settlement of moi c people on the lands of Cambridge West; (c) that the taking of the last census showed a considerable decrease^ -in the population ; (d) that 'the formation of 'a town district means inevitable taxation to a number of people who can ill afford it; (o) that the householders not being unanimous in their de-ire for the proposed change it could not have any good result ; that the present r«ite& amount to the sum of £3-) only, and there are no license fees of any description available as revenue for a new town district ; (q) that an Act <■>{ Parliament will in the yen 1887 come in force, xinder which Act town districts of a less number of householders than one hundied may be abolished. [Twenty-two signatures were attache^.] The Chairman said it was the duty of the council to either recommend that the prayei of the petitioners be acceded to or otherwise. No doubt the action uf the council would have great weight in deciding the course the Government would take. Cr. Grice moved "that as the act requiies 3 of the householders, and such not being on the petition, we cannot recommend Cambridge West to be made a town district, and it is the opinion of this council that the matter remain in obeyance. The rates only being some £35 we consider it should still remain under the Pukekura Highway Board."— This was seconded by Cr. Smith. Cr. Corboy moved as an amendment "That the petition be forwarded to the Government, and that this council lecommend it." This was seconded by Cr. Lang. Mr Chitty in reply to what had been said about the Pukekura Road Boaid being a party to the severance, said that no doubt the board would be glad to get rid of them. For the amendment there voted Crs. Corboy, L^ng, Mouerieff, Hunter and the Chairman. Against, Crs. Gtice andjSmith. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. Mr Moncrieff said that lie Lad voted tor the amendment because the petitioners had complied with the Act, not that he thought for a moment that the petition would be granted, as it was evident from the contemplated change refered to by one of the deputation that the Govenment were opposed to making small town districts.