CLYDEVALE LETTER.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 42, 31 December 1912, Page 6

CLYDEVALE LETTER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Until the last few days the weather lias been exceptionally fine; in fact, the "real McKay," but a sudden change soon puts the temperature down and the coat collars up. On Saturday, December 14, a special meeting of ratepayers was held at the Upper Station to consider once more the possibilities of the proposed metalling loan. At a previous meeting the allocation was agreed on and only the signatures of a three-fourths majority of the ratepayers was necessary to put the whole thing through. Some found they were not satisfied with the arrangement and so signed a counter-petition, necessitating a fresh distribution, or else, as has happened, a settlement. As interest was very keen in some quarters a lively meeting was expected. After some considerable discussion, chiefly on what basis it was bdst to spend the money, a number favouring the rateable basis and _ others that of most necessity, a motion was put to the meeting and carried: "That the council be advised to hold the loan over till next year in the hope of getting a larger one and so being able to spread it over a greater area. It would perhaps' appear the best course under the circumstances, as money is fairly dear just now, but it also appears as if, there being by next year a greater area of roads being opened up, it will take as much more in proportion to metal them, as well as what at present badly needs it. There is some consolation left that the Government has granted a subsidy on two roads amounting to £l5O, which, witli the council subsidy and the visual rates, will help us on a little. One scheme brought forward was for a larger rate to be raised, which would be paid off in seven years, as opposed to the other one of 3(51 years. Of course, being spread over a longer period would come much easier, and if necessary could be paid off in a few years at a higher levy. It was then carried unanimously that the member be asked to advise the council to draw on the riding account to take up the Government subsidy of £IOO on the Upper Station-Burke's Ford road. Objections to widening the road in front of Mr Furze's house were upheld by the meeting, and the member's attention was drawn to the dangerous corner existing by the blacksmith's shop with a view to a remedy. A Farmers' Union meeting was held later, most of those present being memI believe there was also a meeting of a small band of Legion of Frontiersmen after the latter, so they must have used up most of the night before proceedings ended. A motion calling for. tenders for both the day and the contract systems for threshing was defeated by a motion in favour of contract system alone, and the secretary was instructed accordingly. Several new members were elected and also a vicepresident, Mr Hopkins having left the district. Mr Furze was elected to this position. On the motion of Mr Bunn, the meeting agreed in silence to send a letter of condolence and sympathy to Mr and Mrs W. M. Seay in the loss of their son, Mr W. Seay, junr.