SETTLERS PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1931, Page 3

SETTLERS PROTEST.

BURDEN OF ROAD COSTS.

"RATES DOUBLE OUR RENT."

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

TE KUITI, Wednesday.

A meeting convened by the Waitomo County Council was responsible for a large gathering of ratepayers in the Town Hall this afternoon. Mr. W. A. Lee presided. Mr. C. K. Wilson moved the following motion: "That this large and representative meeting of ratepayers in the County of Waitomo emphatically protests against the sum required to be found by the ratepayers towards the upkeep of highways, both primary and secondary, and desires that urgent and favourable consideration be given the request of the Waitomo County Council for relief from the present rate of contribution; also that a petition be sent to Parliament praying that provision be made to enable the Main Highways Board to wholly maintain the highways of Waitomo County." The chairman pointed out the total capital value of the county was £1,230,000, which, included £200,000 of Native property that was unratable. Under the consolidation scheme the county accepted a sum of £7000 on native rates owing up to March, 1931, which meant a loss of £13,500. While it was not the object of the council to criticise the Highways Board, he desired to state that the position obtaining in Waitomo was unjust to the ratepayers. Mr. Wilson declared that out of £6800 available in the county for roads this year the Highways Board had "collared" two-thirds, £3800. There were settlers outback who had pioneered for 25 years without a metal road, who never would own a motor car, and yet had to contribute to the outside motorist, who tore the road to pieces. In addition to that burdensome sum to be found by the county for the Highways Board, the ratepayers, who constructed the roads in the first place, were paying at the rate of £30 a mile per annum for annual charges on loans raised for the original metalling of the present highways. It was contended by other speakers that the settlers were paying more than their share, and that the highways passing through the county should be wholly maintained out of highway funds. There is an extensive mileage of roads in Waitomo, comprising .375 miles of metalled, 1705 miles of unmetalled, making a total of 1080 miles, the second highest in New Zealand. Unless some relief is speedily forthcoming the settlers will be unable to continue. The position is heartbreaking to hundreds of families who have spent their lives in the interior, and are now in danger of losing their homes. "We are here in defence of our homes," declared one speaker. "Our rates are now double the amount of our rent." "I am contributing £50 a mile towards our main road," said another, "and cannot get manure in for topdressing my farm to increase my dairy returns, as I live on a mud road." The resolution was carried unanimously, and the petition was signed by every settler present.