MEETING OF AVON RATEPAYERS.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5081, 20 December 1881, Page 3

MEETING OF AVON RATEPAYERS.

A meeting of the ratepayers of the Avon , district was held last evening at 7 o'clock in , the Town Had, Papanui, "to consider the i position of the district re the borough of St. ( Albans and other matters of importance.'' } About fifty were present. Mr J. T. Matson waa voted to the chair, and stated that he was unacquainted with the object of the meeting, but'as a ratepayer he - would assist in keeping law and order, and having great interest in the district he would be pleased to sit still and hear what waa a«d. < He called on Mr Mitchell to address the meeting. ' Mr E. Mitchell would remind the meeting that ? about a year ago the Avon district waa < divided into five wards, and the recent orea- 1 *£sa of the borough of St Albans had nearly absorbed three of these wards, in one of which ' h» believed only two or three ratepayeTß were 1 left nnabsorbed. Shortly they would have to •feet members to the Board, and these wards ha had mentioned, although robbed of ratepayers, would still eaoh send a member. He vat glad it was so, beeause'if the whole of the district were lumped, Bingsland would swamp "" &a lot. He thought as 86. Albans had absorbed 80 much of the district, and another portion of it had Bsked to be included in the Biocarton Boad Board district, it would be as well if that portion west—that all save Bingsland ahould be ao absorbed. Perhaps it would be as well if a deputation were appointed to wait on the Avon Boad Board, and as a special meeting of that body would be held on Thursday next, he thought such deputation should then wait on tbe Board, and get to know the true position of affairs. He had nothing to propose or urge, but would like to know if any one could proteat against the proposed secession to Bicoarton. The Chairman said the argument shadowed forth by Mr Mitchell was that the Biecarton and Avon Boards should amalgamate for the better government of the district. Perhaps aome one would speak to the matter. Mr Dunlop thought it was too late to petition. The time for that expired on the 9th . of thia month. Mr E, Mitchell thought the Selwyn County Council could be petitioned on the matter. Mr Kress thought it laid with the Belwyn County Council to decide. He agreed that if one part went to Biecarton all should go. He wanted to know if a portion went to Biocarton, what would the remainder of the Avon district be ? It would not be worthy of the name, as in another year something else would go. Perhaps Papanui would be a borough in ayear's time. Mr Macro said the reason why a certain gat of the district wanted to be joined to the Biccartos district was because they were opposed to the creation of the borough of Papanui. Mr Dunlop then described the boundaries of tba borough of St. Albans. Its creation bad taken all pertaining to No. 1 ward of the Avon District, except that portion between Barman's -road and Papanui Church. Also, «l of No. 2 ward, except two or three ratepayers. Only a small portion of No 3 ward * {Biagshffid} was taken, and Nos. 4 and 5 ■ *arde were intact. The ward containing two or three members only had power to elect a saaabes. to the Board. " _Mr B. Duncan thought the Avon Bead »ard was about •to make ita will. P*ughter.] It had aome good assets, and «• Board would take care to get its share,

but be thought tho aecedera to Biocarton should be cut off with a shilling. He believed they wanted to leave because they were neglected. He thought Papanui ahouldbe kept intact, as it contained a town hall, publio library, Saleyarda Company, and tramway and railway stations; but if a portion went then let all go. Although St Albans waa lost, the best part of the district was left, and it behoved them to select good candidates for election. The district required readjustment, giving Papanui a good aquare ward, aa eventually it would become a borough. He thought that each ward ahould apend ito own rates, and if more waa wanted it ahould be raised within ita limits. He would auggeat a deputation to take the matter in hand, Mr J. W. Ellen moved—"That the Bicoarton Boad Board be asked to take over the remaining portion of the Avon road district and incorporate it with the Biocarton Boad Board district." Mr Krnse would second the reaolutaoii if Bingslaud was excluded. Mr Ellen would accept the suggestion, aa he thought that Bingeland with its dense population would no doubt naturally agree to amalgamate with Phillipstown. i After a conversational discussion, in which several took part, The Chairman asked the meeting to very seriously consider the matter. The Avon was a very old district, and it might be a serious thing to lose the glory and prestige of the Avon district. He would ask them not to commit an error for whioh they might be sorry in the future. Mr Mitchell would urge that a deputation be appointed by the present meeting to interview both the Selwyn County Council and the Avon Boad Board, gaining all the information possible, and laying it before another meeting on a future day. Mr Ellen deprecated delay, aa no purpose would be served by the deputation. Mr Danlop had given them the boundaries, and if an alteration was to be made, the sooner the better. Mr Delabunt said that any man could petition the Board against the separation if he chose, but it was too late to petition the Governor. That waa Mr George Harper'a opinion. After aome further remarks by two or three ratepayers, Messrs Munro and Danlop stated that if action waa intended it must be taken before the meeting of the Selwyn County Council on December 27th, and if no steps were taken the part of the district referred to would be incorporated in the Biocarton district. Mr C. E. Briggs stated that as he came in late he was in the [dark. Perhaps the chairman would read the proposition. This having been done, Mr Mitchell moved an amendment to the effect—" That before the proposed aotion be taken, a deputation wait on the Avon Boad Board to get information in reference to that portion of the district about to seoede to Biocarton." Mr T. S. Weston said that he regretted he had not known of the importance of the meeting, or he would have looked up the Act. He agreed with the amendment, and also with Mr Dim can's pertinent remarks. The question of local government would come up in the House next session, and the question of the absorption of the Boad Boards by the County Councils ; or, if they ahould be swept away, would be considered, and in view of the money that might be at the Board's disposal, it would be a little precipitate in wishing to be absorbed in the Biocarton district • indeed, it would be very indiscreet not to hesitate in face of the very slender information before the meeting, and it would be a great mistake to forego the power that might be conferred in the next session of Parliament. If tbe Avon district were kept intact, perhaps the Bicoarton district would play secand fiddle to the Avon Boad Board district. [Cheers.] A speaker wondered that the chairman had not expressed the same feelings about the loss of the St. Albans portion of the district. He would support the resolution, and hoped it would be carried. I The Chairman said the last speaker had a perfect right to his opinions ; still, he warned them not to be in haste to oast away the glorious old name of the Avon district. Mr Kruae thought the recreation ground ahould not be given to the Bicoarton district. Mr Dunlop reminded them that the ground would still remain where it was. As for the name being lost, perhaps both would be dropped, and the choice of a new name result. He agreed with the amendment. MrO.E. Briggs asked if it was possible for tbe elections to go on under the ward system. As one ward was practically gone, it seemed so spin up that readjustment must take place. The Chairman replied that it waa possible. Mr Dunlop had pointed out that in one ward the election of the member would fall on three men, who would elect one of thennumber. After a few more remarks by ratepayers, and Mr Ellen had replied, the chairman put the amendment, for whioh thirty hands were raised, whilst only nine voted for the resolution. The amendment was then declared carried amidst applause. Messrs W. Norman, Ellen, Cresswell, and E. Mitchell were choaen aa a deputation to the Board, and the usual vote of thanks having been accorded to the chair, the meeting adjourned till Friday next at the same time and place.