MAJOR ATKINSON AND THE HARBOR RATE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 152, 28 September 1881, Page 4

MAJOR ATKINSON AND THE HARBOR RATE.

(From Hansard.)

In consequence of the original intention to make a harbor of refuge, a considerable area of the province was included in the rating district, extending as far south as the Waingongoro River. As honorable- gentlemen know, I represent Egmont. From the town of New Plymouth there is continuous settlement for about twenty-two miles, when there is a small break of confiscated land returned to the natives. Then comes the Farihaka Block. The whole of the settlers in tie first district, and, as far as I ea» ascertain, tbft -whcvle of the aattlevs on the Parinaka Block, say that it would be a great breach of faith to stop the harbor works now in progress. Meetings have been held at Omata, Oakura, and Okato; and I have received telegrams saying that resolutions in favor of the works being earned on have been carried unanimously, and that the people are perfectly willing to pay the rates if necessary. Then we get to Opunake. The people there have a favorable land-ing-place, and they, therefore, have some reason for saying that a work such as is now being constructedat New Plymouth would be of no benefit to them, and that therefore it would not be fair to rate them to help to pay for it. Coming next to the Waimate Plains, the people there also hold that, as there would be no benefit to them from this work, they should not be rated, and with this opinion of the Opunake and Waimate people I quite agree. Now, I under* stand, the ratepayers more immediately benefited by the work — and I am one of them — are quite prepared, if the House should think it fair and reasonable, after the report of the Commission has been submitted to it, to agree that any district which is not directly benefited by the barbor should not be called upon to pay rates, and the districts only which are benefited should be called upon to pay therate to cover whatever may be required to pay interest and Binking fund. Now, I would ask, if that iB true, upon what ground is this House going to stop such a work as this P . . . I would again remind the House that we, whose land is within a reasonable radius of the work proposed to be executed, are perfectly willing to accept any necessary amount of taxation that may be required to pay the interest and sinking fund of the loan. It is only fair, however, that I should tell the House that I do not believe a rate will now be required; but if it should be, we are prepared to pay it, and to any required amount. And that being so, having got our endowment, haying obtained the highest engineering opinions upon the feasability of the work — for we had first of all the opinions of Balfour and Doyle, secondly Carruthers and Blackett, and thirdly, Sir John Ooode — it wonld be very wrong for the House to step in and put a stop to the works now.

Next door to Henderson's Saddlery.