TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1880. THE COUNTY RATE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 56, 9 March 1880, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1880. THE COUNTY RATE.

The determination of a majority of the County Council to strike a shilling rate was made evident at last sitting, and we fear that the settlers of Manawatu are likely to be levied upon to that extent next year. This course is greatly to be regretted, considering the heavy depression under which Manawatu in common with the rest of the Colony is at present suffering. We are not surprised at the northern Councillors voting for a shilling rate. Messrs Halcombe and Macarthur are the paid servants of a Company which owns a vast tract of unsettled country, and to the shareholders in the Feilding Corporation the expenditure of increased rates and subsidies means larger rey turns and better dividends. Ntjre only so, but the gentlemen referred to are known to be extensive landowners themselves, and it is therefore not to be wondered at that they exert every power they possess to gain control of as large a sum as possible, knowing that their properties would be enhanced in value by County expenditure in the Manchester Biding. Messrs Linton and M'Beth represent bush Eidings, and as the former remarked, roads mean to such districts prosperity. We do not dispute this, but the question arises, can the settlers bear the pressure necessary to secure this immediate prosperity? We think not. Especially are we suprised at the action of Mr Kebbell, in voting for the shilling rate. The interests of the Horowhenua Biding are, in this matter, opposed to those in the north. The settlers of Otaki do not want a shilrate. Upon this they are pronounced, and in voting as he did Mr Kebbell threw overboard the interests of the ratepayers who elected him, on the ground that " he did not wish to act as a drag on the Upper District ! " The fact is, that at the Council sitting Mr Macarthur threw out a clever bait to the Horowhenua representative by remarking ou the necessities of the inland road, and the possibility that the Government would vote no money for it next year. Mr Kebbell swallowed the bait, and was hooked. By his vote the whole of the ratepayers in the County are likely to be rated 100 per cent heavier than is necessary. A very brief survey of Mr Kebbell's reasons for voting for a shilling rate will show their hollowness. First as regards the FoxtonOtaki road. He said he might need money for the road next year, if the Government did not renew the vote. But, we ask, how much money will the shilling rate place at the disposal of his riding ? Not much. The total rates for Horowhenua Biding under the shilling in the £ basis, amounted last year to £159 19s, of which only about £105 has been collected. The difference between a sixpenny and a shilling rate would therefore be only £78 19s 6d. That stun would be absorbed by a very few chains of roadwork. Besides, it is certain that the rates will not be required for the Foxton-Ofcaki road. The Government recognise the importance of that work, which will open up a large quantity of land purchased from the natives, and will certainly never think of refusing to ask for a further vote for the road. It would be madness to do so. Mr Macarthur cleverly " caught " Mr Kebbell by referring to it, but it was simply a smart act of diplomacy. Besides, even if Parliament were to refuse to vote any more money for the road, the whole of the Otaki rates put together would be only a drop in the bucket. Therefore, we say Mr Kebbell's action was rash and ill-ad-vised to determine on votjng for a shilling rate, because of what the road would gain. Mr Kebbell's second reason was even more singular. It was because he did not wish to act as " a drag " on the Upper District. We thought Mr Kebbell was elected to look ttfter the interests of tbo set-

tiers in his Riding, but it seems he I thinks more of Feilding than of Otaku Would Messrs Halcombe and Macarthur put their constituents to a double expense because they " did not wish to act as a drag on Foxton and Otaki ? " We are afraid they would not. Besides, we think it probable the striking of a sixpenny rate would have been more generally acceptable to the ratepayers of the County as a whole. The bad times have affected both Feilding and Palmerston, and if the voice of the people were taken, we would guarantee an almost unanimous vote in favor of a sixpenny rate. On the general question, we may point out that while accepting the proposition that road rates are a good investment, there are times when men have no money to invest, and we verily believe next year will be such a time in Manawatu. Money has been and is very scarce, timber is now worth very little, wages are low, and generally speaking things are in a bad way. Many settlers will therefore view the appearance of the ta;_ gatherer with anything but pleasure. The diversity of interest shown in the matter of the County rate proves that the two divisions oi" the County cannot work well together. We are at present a large and progressive County, but if there is no other way of avoiding such a heavy burden of taxation, we must separate from the North. In conclusion, we may add that the attention of the Awahou, Kawakawa, and Oroua Ridings is at present fixed on the ratepayers of Otaki. It is believed that a firm request by them would have some weight with Mr Kebbell, and it is hoped as the consequence of that he would vote when the rate is struck for the sixpenny rate. We ourselves believe that gentleman acted hastily in the matter, and without full consideration, and we trust that when he remembers his vote will affect the ratepayers in the four South Manawatu ridings, Mr Kebbell will rejoin the parjy with which his predecessors always^ loyally worked, and vote for the lower basis.

Mahoxsvi Regatta.— The Foxton fourofared inriggod gig Queen Mab was taken /io Wanganui per yesterday morning's trnin, in charge of Messrs A. W. Howe and Jno. Collins, who were accompanied by the coxswain, Joseph Collins. The other members of the Crew --Messrs J. Symons and W. Colliu8 — left by train last night. The regatta takes place to-morrow, aud we' hope the Foxtou crew will acquit themselves worthily.

Campbelltown*-— We understand a meeting of Campbelltown settlers will be held on the Square, Campbeltown, to-morrow (Wednesday, March 10) at 3 p.m , for tbe purpose of taking steps to obtain a sum of money voted for that part of the district by the Education Board. Mr Sanson, a member of the Eoard, has been invited to attend. There are now a Qonsiderable number of settlers in that part of the distriot, and we hope soon to hear of a sohool being started.

The Railway.— The Wellington deputation waited on the Government regarding the West Coast Railway on Thursday last. From the report of the speeches published in the N. Z. Times, we gather that the Go vernment is hostile to the line. The answer given was to the effect that as the Railway Commission is now sitting, the Government would express no opinion on the matter, but would leave the Commission to decide whether or not the line should be made. Major Atkinson, however, went beyond this, and in a rather strong speech declared the Foxton line^ would be quite beyond the means of the Government, and broadly hinted that in his opinion the West Coast line must be abandoned .in favor of one via Masterton.

WtNOANfi Sweep. — We have received information from Mr J. J. Crawford, of Wanganui, to the effect that all the tickets in his sweep on the Wanganui Cup had been disposed of, and that the drawing was to take place last evening, at 8 p.m. Pay tip.— Messrs H. Davidson & Co give notice in another column that unless all aooounts owing to their firm are paid by Saturday next, summonses will at once be issued against the defaulters in time to be heard on the first Court day. Those persons who owe the firm money had better accept the inevitable, and square up at once. Postal.— The following notice has been issued from the General Post office, Wellington : —It is hereby notified for public information that, concurrently with the establishment of the new fortnightly mail service between Europe and Australia via Brindisi and Colombo, the Imperial Government has decided to abandon the route via Southampton. For the future, therefore, only a mail via Brindisi will be made up for the United Kingdom by the Suex route. The rates of postage on correspondence from New Zealand for the United Kingdom via Brindisi will remain as at present, viz. : — Letters, 8d per h ounce ; books. 2d per ounce; newspapers, 2d each 4 -ounce paper, and Id for each additional 4 ounces. Rams For Sale. —In another column, 'Mr M'Lennan announces that he has for sale 29 pure bred Lincoln rams. The animals arrived per Tui on Saturday last, ana are a capital lot. Sheepowners desirous of improving their stook should visit the Oroua Downs station, when we have no doubt the animals in question will commend themselves. Sheep Inspectorship.— We are glad to learn that as the result of the representations made to the Government, they have reinstated Mr Walter K. Simpson as luspeotor of sheep for the Rangitikei-Muna-watu subdivision. Sale. — Mr J. H. Wallace announces that he will sell several sections of Foxton land at his mart, Wellington, on Tuesday, Maroh 16, by order of the Supreme Court. Tost Moore. —Mr Henry Baker last evening gave a lecture entertainment at the Public Hall, Foxton, the subjeot beintr " Tom Moore." 'Lhe lecturer treated his subject in a most interesting manner, the life and career of the Irish poet being graphically described. He also sang a number of Moore's songs, including. "The harp that once," " Believe me, if all," and a number of others, all of whioh were rendered with great taste. MrW.F Baker, the popular tenor, assisted with •• The dear little shamrock" (in which he was encored), and several other pieces. The whole entertainment W as of an interesting and intellectual character, and we regret that want of space and time prevent our notioing it at greater length..