H.B. COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 84, 21 March 1911, Page 5

H.B. COUNTY COUNCIL.

ADJUSTMENT OF BOUNDARIES.

A special meeting of the Hawke’s Bay County Council was held ate 11 a.m. this morning for the purpose of discussing the proposed alteration of County boundaries. A petition . (already published) was received from certain ratepayers in Mohaka riding of Wairoa County Council asking for their district to be merged in the Hawke’s Bay County. There were present Crs. Chantbers (chairman), Clark, Shrimpton, Bennett and Crosse.

Representing the petitioners were Messrs. J. Tait, A. McKinnon, Hugh Campbell, and B. Hoadley. On behalf of the Wairoa County Mr. Powdrell (chairman) and Mr. Shaw (clerk) appeared and objected to the proposal.

Speaking for the petitioners, Mr. John Tait pointed out that at present they had no community of interest with Wairoa, and could get nothing done. The roads were worse now than 20 years ago. They desired that the Hawke’s Bay County Council should take over the district or leave out a portion which could be formed into a Road Board. If nothing was done they would form a new county. It was not possible to go on. as at present. In reply to questions he said that the Wairoa County Council had to keep the coast bridle track and by-roads in their riding; the main road was kept by the Tourist Department. No differential rate would do; they were determined to have their rates sj)ent in their own district, and if they could not accomplish this they would take steps to form a new county. The valuation of the proposed district was £BOO,OOO. Mr. A. McKinnon endorsed the remarks of Mr. Tait. His grievance was a bridle track which was worse now than 30 years ago. He was keen on the question of separation. Mr. Smith also supported the petition. Mr. H. Campbell hoped that the County would take over the district and make it a separate riding, and he was sure it would work satisfactorily. No one could complain of the way in which the Hawke’s Bay County Council waa managed. Mr. Hoadley supported. He was not an old settler, but could endorse what had been said.

In reply to questions it was staked that the revenue of the district on a penny rate would be approximately £3OOO.

On request from Mr. Sh rimpt on Mr. Tait promised to supply information as to the number of mileage of old tracks and roads which would require renewing, and what new roads arid tracks would have to be made of the £40,000 loan raised by the County. They had. £lO,OOO in the proposed district. Mr. Powdrell, Chairman of the Wairoa County Council, said that the Council had done all it could to provide for the requirements of the petitioners. He pointed out that some of the roads complained of were kept by the Government, and it was incorrect to say the road engineers had not been over the roads, for he had been over there a fortnight ago. The Mofiaka riding did not require the vast, expenditure demanded in other parts of the County. They would not object to a portion of the district being taken over if arrangements could be made with regard to loans, etc. If the Mohaka people were badly represented it was the fault of their member, who only attended about one meeting in three.

Mr. Shaw, Clerk of the Wairoa County Council, said that the value of the Mohaka riding was £675,067, which at a penny brought in £2812/16/3. There was a lot of native land in the riding which they got no rate from. They had four general loans over Wairoa County which cost 13-30ths of a penny in interest, and if, taken over Mohaka’ s share would have to be provided for. It would be remembered that some time ago floods cost them £lO,OOO, and they had never recovered from that loss. AH loans were paid for out of general revenue, and no special rates were collected. Mr. Powdrell said the only objection his County had to the severing of the district was that it was proposed to leave Wiroa with the back country which their engineers could not work. Mr. Tait replied that they did not object to taking the back country. In reply to Mr. Tait Mr. Shaw said that Mohaka Biding showed a credit balance of £6000; the amount collected by rates was £2812 16/3, and apart from loan interest and hospital rate the aihount spent was about £9OO. The Wa.ika.ra Mahia ridings were not in credit.