A JOHNSONVILLE PROTEST. HUTT COUNTY RATING PROPOSALS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 80, 1 October 1904, Page 2

A JOHNSONVILLE PROTEST. HUTT COUNTY RATING PROPOSALS.

A public meeting of the ratepayers in the JohnSonville Town District was held last nig-ht to consider the action of the Hutt County Council in levying a special rate of three halfpence in the £ for the purpose of wiping out the County overdraw. Mr. W. Cook was voted to the chair. Mr. ij\ Moore, Chairman of the Town Board, stated that the Board had. been advised by Messrs. Findlay and Dalziel, solicitors, that the Johnsonville ratepayers could not be compelled to pay the special rate. With such an opinion before them, the ratepayers should not rest until they had tested the validity of the Council's action. Mr. G. Lambert pointed out that the Council was averse to the better areas being taken ont of tne county and the poorer portions being left to bear the burden of the overdraft. There was, he thought, a 'good deal in that, contention. If some of the districts seceded from the County it seemed only right that they should pay a proportion of the present financial burden of the County Council. Mr. Jtl. Bould, one of the representatives of the Porirua Riding on the Hutt County Counoil, said the Council had an overdraft of about £2000, and it contended that if the County was to be cut up the overdraft should be wiped out before the severances took place. Ho admitted that the County's special rate I on the, town districts was heavy, and he was of opinion that the Council should ! make them a refund. If the local bodies within the County considered they had a good case in law, By all means let them : have it tested. The Council, however, was advised that what it had done in the matter of, the special rate was .perfectly correct. Mr. Albert Chapman wanted to know what the assets of me County were. Mr. Bould said that although the Council had a building on Lambtonquay, it had not paid the whole amount due upon it. Practically the only asset of the uouncil was the security for the rates. Mr. Bould explained that the amount still owing upon the County offices was about £600. Mr. Chapman said that Johnsonville was being called upon to t .ay £400 to the County, and all it was to get back was £75. Johnsonville had not assisted the Qouncil to build up the overdraft, and he maintained that the Council was doing an unfair thing to the district by calling upon it to pay such a heavy rate for the purpose of wiping off the overdraft. He strongly urged the ratepayers of Johnsonville to bring a test case. Mr. F. Moore proposed that Johnsonville ratepayers should join with the Seatoun district ratepayers in bringing a test case as to the validity of the County Council's action in imposing the special rate. He considered that the County was solvent, and that there was no. necessity io make a heavy levy upon Johnsonville and other districts in order that tne overdraft might be wiped out. He believed that in its offices on Lambtonquay the Council had an asset which was sufficient to enable it to clear off the overdraft. Mr. G. Lambert seconded the motion. Mr. F. Simeon cautioned the ratepayers against rushing to law until they were absolutely sure of their position. Mr. F. Moore wished it to be made clear that it was not proposed that the Town Board should join with the Seatoun Road Board in bringing a test case. It was proposed that the case should be brought by the ratepayers of Johnsonville in conjunction with those in the Seatoun Roau District, and not by the two local governing uodies. Mr. A. Chapman asserted that the stone crushing machine which the County Council had bought for £600 was a failure. Mr. F. Moore said the Seatoun people would go on with a test case even if those in Johnsonville would not join in. He considered that the special rate levied by tie Council was most extortionate. The Chairman explained that up to a certain point he would rather suffer a wrong than go to law. He suggested that. the meeting should defer action until a deputation had interviewed the Council as to the special rate. An amendment was moved by Mr. G. Manson that a deputation should wait upon the Council to ask why the rate had been levied, and whether it was possible to come to come amicable arrangement between the Council and the JohnaonviUe ratepayers. Mr. Moore was of opinion that the Council would not be disposed to come to an arrangement. Mr. Bould urged the ratepayere to go to the Council before deciding to assist Seatoun in bringing a test case. After further discussion it was unanimously decided that Messrs. F. Moore, A. Chapman, W. Cook, G. Munson, G. Lambert, and F. Simeon be a deputation to wait upon the Council with a view to bringing about an amicable settlement; failing a settlement that Johnoonville join with Seatoun in bringing a test case. It was also decided that the same deputation should wait upon the Premier urging him Wiiave passed this session Mr. W. H. Field's Bill for the exclusion of town districts from counties.