PUBLIC MEETING AT PUKERIMU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2640, 13 June 1889, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT PUKERIMU.

A rciiLlo meetin? of ratepayers of the Pukekura Road Board waj held in tho Pukerimu sch-iolro'im on Monday last, to consider a request from the Waipa County Council, asking for assistance in re-erecting Walker's Gully Bridge. Fifteen ratepayers were present, Mr Lake in tho chair, The advertisement convening tho meeting was read, also the letter from the Council. The chairman said he had thought it desirable to call tho ratepayers together to consider the letter just read, and also to see what assistance, if any, would be given. Various sections of the Counties Act of IHSIi were quoted bearing on the question ; but in his opinion they much doubted whether they could do anything in the way of assisting the Council. He also said tho Council had not been taken unawares about this, because they knew five years ago this bridge was dangerous, and liable to give way at anytime. Mr Crane asked if anything this meeting did would bind the rest of tho ratepayers who were not present. The chairmail said yes ; but that would not free tho trustees fiom any legal liability if they assisted, if the question was raised as to their power to do so. The chairman also said, if the. Council would use the power they already possessed, namely, of making another rate of iof a Id in the £, which they might have done, there would have been no need to ask help, as this extra ;\d would give more than they asked. It was generally said that the Pukekura riding had not received a fanshare of the County funds, compared with somo other portions, which had contributed far les-? rates, but 'which had a larger amount expended than the rates collec'ed in their district. Also, it was said, it would establish a bad precedent if the board would give any assistance in rebuilding this bridge, as they likely would be asked to contribute to the construction or repairs of other bridges in tho riding. Proposed by Mr W. Scott and seconded by Mr W. Tucker, " That the request of the Council for assistance in re-building Walker's Gully Bridge be declined ; and on the motion of Mr John Fisher, that the following words be added to the resolution, " That, the ratepayers, through their trustees, protest strongly against the Council re-orecting a new structure on the present foundation, as it would be money thrown away. (Carried unanimously)

Attention was drawn to the disgraceful state of the main roads, as in many places they were very bad, being full of holes. The question was asked, would not the Council give the Road Board control of tho roads and bridges in the riding ? The reply was that they had been asked to do so already, but had declined.

Surprise was expressed very strongly that neither of their representatives, Messrs W. Hunter and John Grice were present at this meeting, as they kuowing of this, ought to have been there to have answered any questions on the matter, and other things atfecting tho welfare of the riding. (A voice : If it had been the swamp road they might.) A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting.