County Boundaries.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume XVI, Issue 868, 7 September 1917, Page 4

County Boundaries.

CONFERENCE AT TE KUITI. At a conference of delegates repre senting the Kawbia, Waitomo and Awakino Counties, held at Te Kuiti, Mr R. Boddy (Chairman of the Awakino County Council) presided. The chairman, in bis opening re marks, stated that he was most interested in the matter of county boundaries. It seemed wrong to him to have counties placed one behind the other without means of access to the railway line, to which, he thought, each county should have access through it own roads. He thought that from coast to railway line was the basis upon which boundaries should be defined, Re referred to the matter of roads used by two counties, stating that it was often an awkward matter to deal with. Ratepayers sometimes argued that those who used the greater length of road should pay the higher rate. This might be come hard on settlers living on the outskirts of the uounty. He thought that the time was opportune for a Commission to be set up to go into the matter of boundaries, and also into the matter of non-operative counties using county roads and paying no rates. If the matter were placed be fore a Commission it would be a step m the right direction, He declared the meeting open, and hoped that all present would give their opinion as to what they thought would be the best way to tackle the position in an equitable manner, so that county boundaries suitable to all concerned could be defined,

Or W. Johnston thought that the county boundaries as defined at the present time were wrong. The boun. dary should be from railway to coast, and mentioned specific cases of roads used in the Waitomo county by people residing io other counties, and stated that ine community oJ interest in these cases was not similar in any shape or form. If metalled roads were laid to the railway, he thought the best would be done for everybody. He agreed that the setting-up of a Commission was the best way out of the difficulty. Cr J. Old endorsed Or Johnston’s remarks. He did not like the idea of one county trespassing upon roads belonging to another county. He also thought the railway line was the natural boundary. Cr Berry thought that the matter of alteration of boundaries should be gone into throughout the North Is land, and that either the G >vernment would have to taka ever roads as main roads or the county boundaries would have to be altered. He tbcught that the coast to-railway scheme was the most satisfactory, and one which would satisfy ratepayers. Where two counties were concerned in one road there might easily be friction. He thought that an amicable arrangement should be made that day between the local bodies affected, Cr Shaw said ho was pleased that tha meeting deemed that alteration of boundaries was necessary. He personally thought that overlapping of roads was a bad thing, and thought that alterations of boundaries could be arranged. It was advisable that a Commission should be set up to define boundaries. Cr Smytb thought that the Govern ment should take control of main arterial roads. He agreed that from coast to railway was the proper manner in which to define boundaries, and also concurred that a Commission should be sat up to go into the matter. The chairman moved the following resolution, which was unanimously

carried:—“That, in the opinion of this meeting representing the Awakino, Waitomo and Kawhia Counties, the time Is opportune that some steps be taken to alter boundaries of surrounding counties.” Cr Scholes, moved and Cr Shaw seconded : “That, in the opinion of this meeting, the West Taupo County as a whole be made operative in order co give effect to the suggestion to alter boundaries of the various counties bordering on the West Taupo County.” Cr Scholes, speaking to the motion, said he thought that the West Taupo County should be made operative. The question is a delicate one. The people living in the West Taupo County used our roads without contributing towards same. He thought that some body should be set up to deal with the matter, and that an °quitable scheme should be worked out.

Or Shaw said he did not like to in. terfere wi’h other people’s business. He held much the same views as the previous speaker. At the present time, with regard to tbe West Taupo County they had no one to deal with on roading matters, which he thought was unfair. Certain people, he said, looked to the Government for everything. Operative counties had to collect general and special rates. West Taupo had no rates at all, which was not fair or equitable.

Tbe resolution was carried unanimously. The following resolution was also carried :—“That the Minister be ap proached with regard to the setting up of a Commission, to sit at Te Kuiti to go fully in the matter of the alter ttion of boundaries of counties affected.”

Cr Shaw stated that Riglan county was much interested in this matter also the Waipa county, and he thought they should be notified as to what was being done. He thought that representation from these bodies, when the Commission sat, would be advantageous. The chairman thanked councillors for tbeie attendance and for the views expressed by them. He could see that councillors wished to mete out the greatest good to the greatest number. He was pleased to think that such an important movement had originated in tbe King Country. Or Schooles congratulated the meeting on the goad spirit shown throughout. Ha moved a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman. Crs Shaw, Johnston and Symth endorsed Cr Scholes’ remarks. Mr Boddy tbanded the meeting for its expression of good feeling, and trusted that much good would result from their deliberations.—Chronicle.