CONSERVATION OF RIVERS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 974, 1 September 1868, Page 3

CONSERVATION OF RIVERS.

PUBLIC MEETING AT MBAUBBV Pursuant to advertisement, a public meeting of settlers was held at the Meanee hotel; on Saturday last, to consider the subject of /the conservation of rivers liable to overflow, more particularly with reference to a measure now before the Assembly entitled the Management of Rivers Bill, The meeting was numerously attended. On the motion of Mr. Wood, the chair was taken by Joseph Rhodes Esq., who formally inaugnrated the business. Mr. Ormond then spoke at some length in explanation of the Bill referred to, which —originally introduced by Mr. Rolleston of Canterbury, to meet the wants of that province — was likely to become a general measure, applicable to the whole colony. It provided for the election of conservators, the raising of "rates, and the borrowing of money, if required. But, unfortunately, being intended mainly for the management ' of a river which ran. through Christchurcb, the basis of- rating was the annual value of adjacent lands, which, how suitable soever to town lands, would not be applicable to the peculiar circumstances of the agricultural districts of Hawke's Bay. He thought that an acreage tax upon a sliding scale, so that lands might be classed according to situation and the benefits likely to be derived from projected improvements, would be the fairest principle they could go upon. .But it was 'for the meeting to decide and, according as they decided, would lie. use his Influence eithfer to have the necessary altera- ' tions made in the present bill, or to introduce them in a special measure, framed to meet the case. Mr. Ortnond spoke at' some length, and concluded by expressing his ■willingness to explain any points that he might not have touched upon. The following resolutions -were then moved by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Hallettj . and carried all but unanimously, t there being only one dissentient :— • .1. This meeting, having heard the explanation Mr. Ormond has given of the probable provisions that will be. contained an the " Management of New Zealand Ei"vers Bill," now under consideration of the ■General Assembly, resolves — 1. That in most particulars the Bill, as t6 this meeting, will be applicable to the management of the rivers in the Hawke's Bay province. . 2. This meeting, however, is of opinion that a rating based on the annual value of properties would not apply fairly or beneficially to this district ; and considers that the most suitable mode of rating for districts in the province likely to avail themselves of the Bill, would be by the substitution of an acreage tax on a sliding scale, and that for this purpose the lands in each district shall be divided into three classes : — Class 1 should include all lands not . subject to actual damage by the overflow of water upon them, and should pay 25 per cent, of the rate ordered to be levied. •Class 2 should include those lands that are partially subject to flood, but not ?to injury therefrom, and such lands should pay 50 per cent, of the rate ordered to be levied. <Class .3 should include all those lands , . "Subject to serious injury from floods, and such lands should pay the full rate ordered to be levied. Capt. William Russell then moved, and Mr. Tanner seconded — anything. .i»u clause 2 to TEe~ contrary, all lands within, a township shall be rated at an annual value, instead of an acreage rate. •—This was put from the chair and carried unanimously. . Mr. Tanner then moved the following as a fourth resolution, which was seconded by Capt. W. Russell— 4. That a clause shall hg inserted in the 3ill, declaring that it shall be lawful for the Superintendent, on application to that effect by three-fourths of the rate-payers, to- bring the same into operation within any district. Provided that the term threefourths of the rate-payers shall be held to mean such a number of the said rate-pay-ers as would contribute three-fourths of the rates to be raised within any such district. — This was agreed to, with the substitution cf " three-fifths" for "three-fourths." Afterwards, however, Mr. Maney said that this ■clause would put it in the power of a few large proprietors to quash the whole affair. • Mr. Tiffen agreed with the last speaker, •and moved the insertion of the words "absolute majority" in all casea where " threefourths" occurred. There was no objection to this alteration, and the motion, amended hy the substitution of these words, was put and passed. The following, as clause five, was then moved by Mr. Powdrell, and seconded by Mr. Alley— 5. That the conservators be restricted to a rate not exceeding one shilling per acre per annum. —Some discussion arose upon this. Mr. , Ormond pointed out that, owing to the number of sections which would be liable to no more than a quarter rate and half rate, a shilling per acre would not yield a sufficient sum. Ultimately it was moved by -,Mr. Tiffen, and seconded, by Mr. Peacock, that "three shillings" be subsitnted for "one shilling" in the resolution. The amendment, on being put, was carried by a large majority. . A vote of thanks to Mr. Ormond, for his attendance and explanation, and to Mr. Rhodes for his conduct in the chair, terminated the proceedings. The meeting throughout was orderly and intelligent. The discussion was somewhat of a conversational nature, but there was little opposition to anything brought forwar J.