UPPPER MAHURANGI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3993, 9 June 1870, Page 5

UPPPER MAHURANGI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

A meeting of the ratepayers in this district was held in the Public Hall on Thursday last, to consider the proposed Highways Bill, and other matters. Over forty settlers attended, and it was evident they took a lively interest in "the anticipated business. Mr. Angove, Chairman of the Highway Board, was appointed chairman of the meeting. He read the circular from the Provincial Secretary, in which the ratepayers were invited to discuss the proposed bill. Mr. Angove remarked that they could not but regard with satisfaction the act of courtesy of the Executive. It was certainly a judicious step to elicit the views of the people before introducing the bill in a quarter to become law,' He believed that Highway Boards were now doing much towards the advancement of the country, and in proportion as they were found to work satisfactorily they might fairly expect an extension of the powers of local government. The Chairman then proceeded with reading the proposed bill, and the following suggestions were made in connection therewith : — Clause 6 : Mr. Horsley moved, "That the section should provide that the trustees may negoiiate with the owners of property through which a new road is requisite as to the nature of compensation required, and that the trustees may defray such compensation from moneys .recovered under this Act." — Mr. John Thomson seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. — Clause 7 : Mr. Nathaniel WSson moved, "That this meeting highly approves of this clause, in which the mode of levying the rate is left optional, viz., either to be per acre, or on the estimated value to sell ; and that a provision should be added' that, Avkere the rate is levied per acre, the trustees shall have power to levy a rate, not exceeding 3d. per pound on the estimated value to sell, on all township lands or tenements within the district, which are not under the control of any other body." — The motion was seconded by Mr. Waller, and agreed to. — The Chairman was proceeding with the reading of the bill, when Mr. Meikle desired to make a few remarks on the decision they had just come to on the rating clause. — Mr. Meikle considered that a valuation rate was the most equitable. — Mr. Wilson saidhe could not concur with Mr. Meikle. — Clause 8 : Mr. Murray moved, ' ' That after the words ' due by him 'there be added 'or her,' and that after the words ' such district ' be ' provided always that no woman shall be elected a trustee." — Mr. Sanderson seconded this proposition. He considered that females possessed of the property qualification should not be excluded from giving a vote. He believed they were man enough to use the right judiciously. — The motion wa3 carried. — Clause 11 : Mr. Grimmer moved, "That no elector hold more than two proxies. " — Seconded by Mr. Alpine. — Mr. John Thomson proposed as an amendment, " That proxy-voting be abolished ;" which was seconded by Mr. Horsley. — The motioD was carried by a small majority. — Clause 15 : Mr. Wallis moved that this clause be altered so that if any trustee shall refuse or neglect to act, or be absent from the district for one month, he shall cease to be a trustee. — econcled by Mr. Philips, and agreed to. — Clause 17 : Mr. Grimmer moved, "That this clause be expunged j" and was seconded by Mr. Sanderson. — Mr. 0. Phillips proposed as an amendment, " That the meeting approve of this clause." Mr. N. Wilson seconded the amendment, but, when put to the meeting, the motion had a slight majority. — Clause 33 : Mr. Murray moved, "That after the words ' Government Gazette ' there be added, * and two Auokland weekly papers ;' and after the words ' two Justices of the Peace, and shall be,' there be substituted, for the remainder of the se tion, • recoverable as a common debt against the occupier or owner ;' " which was seconded by Mr. Sanderson, and agreed to. — Clause 36 : Mr. Horsley moved that this clause should be so reconstructed: — "That the moneys voted by the Provincial Council for highway purposes should not be divided at the discretion of the Superintendent, but should be given to each Highway Board in proportion to the amount raised by them." — Mr. N. Wilson seconded the proposition. — Mr. Grimmer moved that a section should be added to the bill empowering trustees aiding in any common object, in those districts immediately adjoining their district, and to defray the expense thereof ; but that such works shall be agreed on by a majority of the ratepayers at a public meeting specially called to determine the same." — Seconded by Mr. Thomson, and agreed to. The Fencing Act Mr. Wallis said that the consideration of this also formed a part of their programme ; but, owing to the day being so far gone, they would be unable to enter upon the question fully, and that it might be well to make a more minute study of the Act the business of another meeting. In the meantime, however, as the law of fencing was pretty well understood, and public opinion had been copiously ventilat d thereon of late, he proposed the following, " That this meeting considers that to repeal the Fencing Aofc would have a most injurious effect," which was seconded by Mr. John Thomson, and agreed to by all. — Mr. Grimmer moved a vote of thanks to Mr, Angove, foy the manner he had occupied the ohair j Mr. Nathaniel Wilson seconded the motion, which was carried. — Mr. Angove thanked the meeting, which then dispersed.