RECENT DAMAGE by FLOODS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2388, 28 March 1893, Page 2

RECENT DAMAGE by FLOODS

PUBLIC MEETING AT OPUNAKE

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

A meeting of ratepayers (Taranaki County) in Paribaka riding, re damage to roads, was held on Saturday, 25th instant, at 7.30 p.m., in tbe Town Hall, Opunake. It was moderately well attended.

Mr G. W. Rogers, chairman of the Town Board, was in tbe cbair, and opened the meeting briefly, and stated that the chairman of the County Council could not attend as the council had a epecial meeting on the same day. Mr Gray (councillor) wired tbat he was unable to attend. Tbe Chairman read the resolutions of tbe council passed at tbe council meeting of tbe 22od'instant, as follow :—": — " Tbat tbe council authorise tbe expenditure of tbe sum of £350 for executing repairs in tbe roads, bridges, and culverts partially destroyed in tbe South road, Parihaka riding, at once." "That in the opinion of this council tbe only means by wbicb the necessary repairs and reconstruction of bridges destroyed in Parihaka riding can be effected is by means of a loan of £20G0 under tbe Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886, and to urge upon tbe ratepayers in the Parihaka riding to take the necessary stepß to enable this council to declare tbe Paribaka riding a special rating district for tbat purpose, and tbat the interest on the said loan be paid out of the ordinary revenue of the council."

Mr. Maxwell thought that the last paragraph of the laßt resolution mnet be an error, as the Parihaka Biding would no doubt have to pay the interest. The special loan distriot would have to pay the interest.

The Chairman stated that the Eltbam road was omitted from mention by the council.

Mr. E. R. Morgan read report of resolutions of council meeting : That the motion was that should be spent in Paribaka Riding — not on the South road only. Mr. Chapman asked for report of last meeting of counoil to be read. He oonsidered tbat some of tbe remarks were uncalled for and should be taken notice of. Tbe ohairman read the report. Mr Chapman thought it would be desirable to have a legal opinion as to whether the county as a whole was liable to pay tbe interest on a loan and not tbe riding.

Mr Rogers said Mr Price stated tbe riding would have to pay. Mr Chapman asked if Mr. Price's authority was sufficient.

Mr Rogers stated Mr Price when down spoke of a loan of ; he (the chairman) thought the actual damage was not ascertained.

Mr Middleton was of opinion that a loan .would have to be raised, but he for one objected to the Taranaki County Council having the expenditure of it." "

Mr. Middleton moved, That this meetiDg does not agree to the resolution of the oounoil to raise a loan.

Seconded by Mr A. Morrison.

Mr Morris asked if the Eltham road was considered a county road. The council did not consider it so.

Mr Rogers said that it was gazetted a main road. Motion carried unanimously. (Continued on page 4.)

At the annual meeting of the Titnara Millirjg Company the chairman mentioned what he considered was a canons claim for income tax. They were asked to pay and paid JGIOO 17b on the net earnings for 1891-92. Five weeks later the Commissioner demanded the tax on £824 interest paid on mortgage, although the mortgagee had already paid the tax on the same mortgage ; and, farthermore, were charged 10 per cent, penalty because the amount was not claimed sooner. The directors mast Sook into the legality of this. He also mentioned that the previous year tbey paid £52 12s as property Ukx, whereas the income tax, calculated on the previous year's profits, would have been £232.