THE COUNTIES ACT.-ABOLITION MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3382, 30 May 1881, Page 2

THE COUNTIES ACT.-ABOLI-TION MEETING.

A rUM.IC meeting of the ratepayers of Waitakorei East and West wai held on Saturday afternoon, at the Oratei Hotel, Henderson's Mill, tUo Hon. Thomas Henderson in the chair. The meeting was wall attended. Tlio Chairman having made a few opening remarks, Mr McElwain spoke, and expressed regret that owing to the very serious accident which had happened to Mr Dilwortb, he could not be present at^this mcetiug. The object was to ail'ord the ratepayers au opportunity of choosing between the Counties Act and the Highways Act, and this was the most important subject the ratepayers here had ever beeu called on to decide. It now devolved upon them to decide whether, iv their opinions, the Counties Act should be abolished or not. He hoped that some gentleman would propose a resolution. Mr John Smith, a settler, then proposed " That in the opinion of this meeting, the Counties Act is expensive, cumbersome, iuellicicnt, and opposed to the best interests of the settlers, and therefore ought to be abolished in the districts north of Auckland, and that the counties' revenue ought to bo distributed amongst the Koad Boards, as they are the best nud cheapest, and being more under the immediate control of the ratepayers are better adapted to the wants of the country." The motion was seconded by Mr Hunter, and supported by Messrs McElwain, Cantwell, Collett, and Kelly, and on its beiug put to the meeting was carried unanimously.—Mr Smith then proposed "That Koad Boards should be continued and enlarged, the Government retaining the management of the main county roads, and the Engineer having a supervision over the Koad Boards, where any assistance is given towards works they are unable to do," which was seconded by Mr Sipuni, generally approved, and finally curried.—Mr Smith then moved, Mr Bedford seconded, nud it was carried, "That triennial valuations in couutry districts are quite sullicieut, and the Koad Boards should bo quite competent to deal with objections, and dispense with the unnecessary aud expansive Assessment Courts."—The final motion by Mr McElwain was also carried unanimously, viz. : "That copies of the foregoing resolutions ba sent to all the Northern members, aud that they be en- ; trusted to Mr Header Wood, M.U.K., for the district, with a request that ho would use his best influence to have them given effect to iv the ensuing session of Parliaments'—The customary vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.