POUTUTU TRACK.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 802, 17 January 1903, Page 1

POUTUTU TRACK.

DEPUTATION OF MOTU SETTLERS. At the meeting of the County Council yesterday, Cr Richardson introduced a deputation of Motu settlers in connection with the stock track, consisting of Messrs Wright, Peddle, Henderson, Winter, Goldsmith, and Bridge. Mr Wright, as spokesman, stated that this track was not only needed for stock, but was necessary for the existence of the settlers. They were thinking of getting a telephone to their district, but what was the good of it if they could not get a doctor when needed, through want of a road. When he bought his place he thought the track question was settled. Mr Peddle said by this track a large number of stock from the Motu would come to Gisborne, which otherwise would drift away to the Bay of Plenty. As for Mr Foster’s claim that he would be cut off from the water, there was nothing in it, and he would benefit by getting his land fenced. Mr Peddle spoke of the difficulties experienced by settlers having to cross the river so frequently. Mr Goldsmith also urged the necessity of making the track. The Chairman said the track would have been made, but Mr Foster considered the damage to him so much that in face of the magnitude of his claim the Council could not go on. Cr Clayton asked that particulars of the claim be furnished the deputation. He understood items were down in Mr Foster’s claim which did not exist, such as the garden. Mr Goldsmith said they had thought the Council had given up the question. The Chairman said the Council had endeavored to get Mr Foster to forego his claim, but found him immovable. The point was, could they get Mr Foster to reduco his claim ?

Mr Peddle contended that the Council should, as a duty, proclaim the land as taken under the Act.

The Chairman : That has been done. Mr Peddle: Well, the ratepayers should be given their road. As to the amount of compensation the Court will decide that. The Chairman said that tho Council would assist tho settlers at any reason-

able cost, but were not prepared to go to an unreasonable expense to obtain tho

track. Mr Pcddlo held that tho Court would settio tho amount of any damagos, but tho settlers must have tho road. “If there is a heavy expense every settlor will pay his share,” continuod Mr Peddle. “ I will pay mino, and I claim a right to tho track.” The Chairman : You are touching tho crux now. If you fix an amount which you will contribute, so that the Council will not suffer any unreasonable loss tho Council will support you. If you place the value you consider right on tho land and put it before the Council we can act on that. Mr Peddlo said that in saying the settlers would contribute ho was speaking individually, and not as representing the Motu settlers. Other members of the deputation said no damage would be sustained by Mr Foster by being out off from water, and it was suggested that a fair valuation should be put on the land at which the Council hould fight Mr Foster. Mr Henderson said the stock track was held out to them as an inducement to pay ratos for the Waikohu bridge, which somo of them would not be able to use. The Chairman said that the land to be taken was 3ij acres, and the amount of claim J 6270. Mr Bridge, as one of the latest sottmrs at the Motu, said his predecessor in selling the property told him that this stock track could always be used to get to the land. Now ho found that they would be cut off from a doctor, and altogether isolated for a part of tbo year. Mr Henderson held that some of tbo items of claim did not exist. The road did not cut off the stockyard or orchard, and it would be found that they would not have to fight the matter out. Mr Goldsmith said the claim was exorbitant. Cr Richardson said the stock track was one of the most important works in their district. The settlers had to ford the river nine times, and in the portion in dispute there were two dangerous crossings. The Motu settlers were paying for the Waikohu bridge loan with the object of using the stock track. For some years there were no new works done in the district, and they had not been getting their proportion of the rates. If the settlers were prepared to raise a loan to pay for any heavy expense. He had never dreamed that the Council would abandon the road. . Cr Gray : They never abandoned it. The question was only postponed. Cr Harding said, as the deputation would indemnify the Council for any expense over a fair charge, he thought the Council should support them, as the road was a vital one. Mr Peddle held that the Council should stand by the ratepayers, but the settlers wero determined to have the road, even if they had to put their hands in their

P The Chairman said the claim for the land taken, about four acres, was £3O ; then there were item's of £l5O for being cut off from water, £SO for having to erect windmills, £2O for fencing, and £2O for loss of stockyard and garden. According to the deputation, £2OO of this could be knocked off, as Mr Foster was not cut off from water. Mr Peddle suggested that the Council offer Mr Foster £3O for tho land and arbitrate on tho other items. Cr Clayton thought that if the matter wero again referred to Mr \V. G. Foster (Wellington) ho would bo inclined to abate

the claim. On the motion of Cr Matthews, the Council went into Committee on the question, and the deputation withdrew after thanking tho Council for their hearing. , It was eventually agreed to taKo the land under the Public Works Act, and on the motion of Cr Richardson, seconded by Cr Matthews, it was resolved that the Council raise a special loan over a special rating district for the purpose of acquiring a loan requirod for a road two miles long, from Poututu to the Willow Crossing. Tho object of this is to make one complete work.