The Paterson Dispute.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 4 June 1895, Page 4

The Paterson Dispute.

At the meeting of the Kuapdale Road; Board on Friday last, Mr Nichol moved in accordance with notice given at last meeting, that the minute of 19th April, instructing the Chairman to communicate with the Minister of Lands, in re the " Paterson dispute," be rescinded.— Seconded by Mr Oalder, and carried. Mr Nichol said that, as the members knew, some time back the disposal of the thirds accruing from seotion 9, block 14, had been blocked by the Land Board, through the Road Board not complying with certain terms insisted upon by the Land Board. He was heartily tired of the subject — which had now been before the Board for several years— but he believed be could unfold two plans, either of which would overcome the difficulty. Firstly, — By voting sufficient money out of the rates to complete the work : — and here he mentioned that some L7O of thirds had accrued, which it was reasonable to suppose would be devoted to completing tbe work in accordance with the plans prepared by the Engineer. It was only fair to remember, too, that Mr Patorson was one of the largest ratepayers in the district. The acorued thirds would be sufficient to complete the road to Ballantyne's gate, which would surely suit botn parties. Secondly, — If they did not agree to his first proposal, he believed the plans of the bridge, which were drawn to permit of traction-engines passing over it, could be amended to a lighter soale, and a cheaper bridge thus oreoted. Some persons had alleged that Me Paterson had been blocking tbe Road Board all along, but the fact was that he had no security that the Road Board would complete the works, and therefore he had been obliged to appeal to the Land Board. He had every confidence in asserting that Mr Paterson would agree to the following motion: " That the thirds lying in the custody of the Southland Lund Board be expended in the way indicated by the Land Board, in order to complete the road to Paterßoh's gate." The Chairman: Theß, Mr Paterson agrees to our Engineer's plans ? That's what obstructed the whole thing before. Mr Nichol understood that Mr Paterson had no objections to a strong bridge, but to the insecurity — be might be left in the lurch, with a bridge completed, and yet no approach to it. He thought L 6 or L 7 would complete the road. The Clerk thought that sum would meet the case. He said that the purport of Mr Paterson's letter to the Land Board was that the Road Board intended to spen d all* the money on tbe bridge, and he would have to make the road himself. Regarding Mr Nichol's suggestion tbat a lighter bridge might do, why, Mr Paterson owned a tractionengine himself. Mr Robertson said that was not so, although there was one in the family. Tbe Chairman, in justice to the Boar 3, and also to their Engineer, pointed out that Mr Perkins' (engineer) estimate was made some years ago, and timber had gone up a lot in price since then. That fact explained why his present estimate did not tally with the former one. Mr Calder seconded Mr Niohol's motion. Mr Peter moved as an amendment : "That the matter be held over in the meantime." There was nothing, so tar, to show* what Mr Paterson wanted. Besides nothing could be done until spring in the way of carting material, and, further, tha only notice they had received from the Land Board was that they objected to the moneys being spent — that, and nothing more. Mr Key seconded the amendment. Mr Niohol said Mr Peter had lost sight of the fact that Mr Paterson's objeotions had been forwarded by the Land Board to the Road Board, and the Land Board had indicated that the Road Board must comply with Mr Paterson's wishes. Mr Paterson was willing to fall in with that idea. The Chairman : How are we to know that? Mr Nichol gave his word as a man and a ratepayer that Mr Paterson had told him he would be agreeable to suoh a course. Messrs Calder and Robertson corroborated Mr Nichol's statement, they also having seen Mr Paterson. Mr Nichol also thought the road was not so bad but that timber could be carted over it. At present, ohildren crossed the stream with danger. The Chairman asked, If a sum of say L 6 in addition to the thirds, be voted to complete the road, would that satisfy Mr Paterson P Mr Nichol said he thought so ; and if a motion were moved to that effect, he would be willing to withdraw his present motion.— The mover of the amendment ' also agreed to this oourse. Mr Peter complained of the ridicule heaped on the competency of their Engineer by Mr Paterson. The Chairman said he had received the opinion of a very high legal authority that there was no danger in acting in the way now proposed. Messrs Calder, Robertson, and Nichol severally guaranteed that Mr Pateraon would aeree to the proposal ; and Mr Nichol thought, in the event of word being received from the Land Board that they approved of the idea— and he fully apprehended such would be the case —that tenders for the work be at onoe called. The Chairman said he was advised that they must first have the money handed them by the Land Board, before they could consider they were safe. He thought they had better hold over the tendering until next meeting. Mr Nichol said if they waited until the end of July, winter would be over before the bridge was completed. He eventually moved : •• That as soon as the money was handed over, tenders be called, to bo in by next meeliug," This was seconded by Mr Robertson, and carried unanimously. It was then pointed out that if the road to Paterson's gate were made, there would be no need to make the road applied for by Mr Ballantyne. Mr Nichol moved : " That seeing this Board is agreeable to making the original road, it is unnecessary to make Ballantyne's, as one road will be sufficient for all purposes. 1 ' Seconded by Mr Calder, and carried.