PUBLIC MEETING AT TINWALD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 89, 20 April 1880, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT TINWALD.

PROPOSED DIVISION OF THE ROAD BOARD.

A meeting of the ratepayers in the Winslow-Tinwald portion of the Longbeach Road District was held in the Tinwald Hotel yesterday to consider the adyisableness of separating from the Longbeach Road District. The meeting was called by advertisement* and Mr. J. R. C. C. Graham occupied the chair. There was a fair attendance, considering the inclement state of the weather, some 22 ratepayers being present. Mr. Graham, in opening the business, said the meeting was called with a view to consider the advisableness of separating from the Lmgbeach Road District. Five years ago he had wished a separation, but others did not see the thing in the same light. There was a large amount of money to he spent then, and he had always feared that the upper districts would not get their fair share. They had not, as they saw, got their fair share. Ho would point to Graham’s road as .an instance. It was made live years ago, and during its existence not a single penny piece had been spent upon it. It was in exactly the same state that day that it was when it was formed. The district of Tinwald especially was but poorly represented at the Longboach Board, seeing that, beyond Mr. Joseph Clark, there was not a single member of ihe Board who had any interest in Tinwald. An objection had been raised in the newspapers that expense attended the institution of a new road board in the creation of additional officials. But he did not see that any great expense was necessary. It was not needful that any officers should be appointed, and any clerical or engineering service could bo procured as it, was required. Ten years ago he (the Chairman) had been a member of the Ashburton Board, and then the chairman did all the clerical work. The roads in this district were now all formed, and only the cost of maintenance would require to be incurred. It was quite apparent that a large road district that had the greater proportion of it made up of swamp land would direct the Most of its expenditure to the swamp district, and, as a consequence, the lighter lands, through which roads could bo easily and inexpensively made, had to contribute in an undue proportion to the aggrandisement of the swamp land. He had prepared a resolution for some gentleman to move on the subject, to consider which the meeting had assembled, and he hoped, if it met tjie views of those present, it ivould be carried. Ke would also 'read the following reasons he had drawn up why the district should separate from the Longbeach Road District. The Chairman, then read the following : “ We desire saparation for the following reasons : —(1.) Although our land is of a poorer and lighter quality than the Longbeach swamps, yet, because it is nearer the ratlway, we are assessed at higher rates than said swamps. This we consider unfair, as we derive no proportionate advantage for the higher assessment. (2) The Longbeach Road Board has constantly refused to form the so-called boundary road, although repeatedly petitioned to do so. They have also declined to attend to the wants of Tinwald as regards roads, etc. (3.) We consider an undue amount of money has been spent in making roads through swamps. As such roads require much drainage, large and expensive bridges and culverts, we are of opinion that at least a portion of their cost should be defrayed by a special rate levied on the landowners, and not that the whole body of ratepayers should bear this exceptional outlay.” Mr. Carter moved the following resolution —“ That this meeting approves of separation from the Longbeach Road District, and requests Messrs. Carter, Graham, and E. G. Wright, to present a petition to the County Council, requesting a new road district to bo constituted, to be called the Tinwald-Winslow Road District, and to comprise all that block of land lying between the boundary road and the railway line, as per map produced. ”

Mr. Ede seconded. Mr Carter said that in reference to the question, he had had a conversation with Mr Grigg, who did not seem to have any objection to the separation. Mr Grigg was also in favor of allowing tho engineer of the Road Board to do the new Board’s work, if they could agree to arrange it. It might lie mentioned that the Longbeach Board had entered into a twelve months’ engagement with their engineer. Mr Carter would he very happy to do all he could for the movement they were initiating. Mr Lewis said that in regard to the new district there might be some difficulty in apportioning tho amount of liability that ought to be borne by it, inasmuch as it was contained in the Longbeach Ward. A heavy debt lay on that ward, though the debt on tho ward had not been incurred by expenditure on the Tinwald district. The Chairman said that in reference to the ’ Engineer, it would be a question for the new board to consider whether they should want the services of Mr Cuthbert or not.

The resolution was unanimously carried, and after a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting separated.