FEILDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 304, 22 November 1932, Page 4

FEILDING.

URBAN FARM LANDS. CONSIDERATION OF BILL. For the purpose of investigating the provisions of the Urban Farm Lands Rating Bill, the Feilding Borough Council met last night at a special meeting, when a comprehensive survey oi the aims and objectives of flio new measure was given by the Mayor (Mr C. E. Taylor). There were present C'rs. E. Fair. S. D. Pearce, T. Collins, A. C. McCorkindnle, D. C. Cullinane, J. Corpe, A. H. Alaguire, G. Kilvington. Tu explaining tiro reason for calling the council together, the Mayor said that Feilding was vitally concerned in the Bill and the speaker’s interest in the town’s position in regard to the Bill was paramount to that of the special committee which the Municipal Association had set up and of which Mr Ta ylor was chairman. The Mayor went on to briefllv outline the origin of the Bill, its definition in regard to farm land in particular and the measures contained in the Bill for relief from rating. The Mu nicipal Association’s executive had investigated the measure and made various recommendations, which Mr Taylor briefly presented to the council. Proceeding then to examine the Bill with the council, the Mayor said that his first point for consideration lay in the" definition of “urban farm lands.” He was of the opinion that tho paragraph referring to the definition of the land should have added thereto the words “and that the income therefrom comprises the whole or a substantial part of tho income of tho ratepayer.” Continuing, Mr Taylor explained that in regard to the farm land list the committee of the Municipal Association had recommended that owners should themselves make application for relief within a certain period after an advertisement had been issued by the council. The Bill, lie added, provided that after one ratepayer had made an application the council should prepare a farm list of all separately rated properties of three acres and upwards and make awards' regarding a reduction. Mr Taylor had no objection to offer to this course, stating that when absentee owners were considered the provisions in the Bill were quite equitable. In regard to a limit in the ]>erceiitago for reduction, Mr Taylor was of tlie opinion that a limit should l>e specified, stating that the Municipal Association in this respect had suggested 40 per cent. The clause in tlie Bill giving ratepayers tire right to object to the council on the grounds that too great a burden was being | transferred to another section of ratepayers—tlie business section in particular —was. the Mayor thought, a desirable safeguard. It had to bo rememliered that the urban lnnd owners were not tlie only ones feeling the burden of rates, and the protection of others Had to be considered. In this connection tire power given the council to refuse a percentage of reduction was quite relevant and equitable, the Mayor observed. Dealing with the provisions of the Assessment Court, Mr Taylor was of th© opinion that this section of the Act was quite satisfactory. A Magistrate and two assessors could deal with individual objections, the matter of I appointing assessors to assist the Magistrate being left entirely in the council’s hands. Mr Taylor then dealt at length with the sections in the Bill j referring to tlie “farm land roll.” The speaker claimed that th is was one of tlie most important sections of the Act, containing as it did tlie serious provi- i sion that relief should he given under j all systems of rating, and in tlie Mayor's opinion the proviso to Section 1C of the Act should be deleted.

It would be remembered, M r Tajlor proceeded, that when matters were being investigated by the -Municipal Association’s Committee, there were no objections to burdensome l rates from owners of farm lands where the system of rating was on the capital or annual value. Mr Taylor went on to illustrate what had been done by certain local bodies in regard to ~ comparisons between the svstems of rating and explained also the position as it affected TeUding, where the system of rating was on the unimproved value, with an annual water rate based on the annual value. An up-to-date house property of £IOOO valuation—£2oo unimproved and £BOO capital—would carry an annual rate of from £7 lO.s to £B. A five-acre section, removed from the centre of the town, with dwelling and. outbuildings valued at £looo—£soo unimproved and £SOO for improvements—with water availaide would pay about £lO in rates. I nder the animal system of rating the residential rating would go up to £l2 and the five-acre section would be reduced to £l2. This was only an average instance, Mr Taylor stated, adding that in most comparisons the discrepancy would be far greater. The Mayor gave instances on other properties, basing his calculations on a 4s in the £1 rate, which was the lowest which would have to be levied in a borough like Feilding if rating on the annual value was resorted to. Mr Taylor did not think that urban farm land

owners would expect such a reduction as was contained in the above. It would mean that residential rating would increase heavily and, for the reasons he had specified, Mr Taylor was -emphatic that tlie Bill should provide for relief only where the system of rating on the unimproved value was in operation. Tlie commencement and duration of tlie farm roll was also dealt with by the Mayor, who considered that the reductions should take effect from April 1 next, following tlie making of applications' for relief and also that tlie Bill should name a definite date on or before which tlie applications" were to lie made. Regarding properties of under three acres, tlie Mayor thought the provisions of this section of the Bill reasonably satisfactory. 'Tlie view of tho Municipal Association’s committee was that relief should he given to owner-occupiers only, hut later it had been conceded that relief should also be granted on long-term Crown leases, while later still it had been agreed that relief should further he awarded in leases of five years and upwards. Tho Bill provided that relief should lie given generally, and in equity the Ma yor could not see how that could be objected to.

Mr Taylor thought it should be made quite clear that tlie giving of sectional relief was considered by the Municipal Associatiort to be undesirable. It was contended that the Government should investigate the whole rating system and evolve a system just and equitable to all sections of ratepayers so that the Bill should he law for. as short a period as possible. Systems of rating that resulted on a change over to doubling the rates of many ratepayers and halving the rates of others. Mr Taylor thought, should he the subject of an early review by the Government, and also'tlint the findings of tlie Municipal Association’s committee as a basis for one system of rating fair to ail classes of ratepayers should he passed on to the Minister for further consideration. The council discussed the Bill in general, making various suggestions regarding amendments and deletions to the measure. Mr Taylor being complimented oil the concise explanation lie had given.

Tho Mayor stated further that, together with other members of the Municipal Association, he was meeting Hon. A. Hamilton on Wednesday, when the Bill would he discussed. The speaker thought tlie provisions of the Bill were such as to provide against one section of tlie community being more heavily rated to give relief to others, hut at the same time tlie speaker stressed tlie fact tlie.t a section of Parliament was determined to get the measure through in some form.

LATE MR A. SPENCE. i Tlie deatli occurred on Saturday ’ night of Mr Archibald Spence, one of i Feilding’s best known and respected - residents, after an illness extending i over a week. The Saturday before last > Mr Spence skipped a rink for the Oroua Bowling Club on the Terrace End green, ; and on the Sunday he felt tired and did : not rise. His condition became steadily worse during tlie week when he was re- • moved to a Palmerston North hospital for an'operation. He failed to rally, ; l however, death taking place at a later i hour on Saturday night. The late Mr Spence was many years . ago in partners with his brothers, Wil- | ham and George, in a drapery establishment in Fergusson Street, Feilding. On Mr William Spence selling out his I interest in the firm to retire to live in jHawera. where lie subsequently passed j away, Mr Archibald Spence and his brother carried on for some years, when they too disposed of their business interest in tlie firm to Mr E. Fair. Mr Geo. S])ence died not very long ago, Mr A. Silence thus being the last of the three brothers. Tlie late Mr Spence had also carried on business successfully in Dannevirke, Taihape and Stratford, at different periods before he retired to live in Feilding. Although he did not take an active part in local life, tlie deceased gentleman was very well | known through liis work for tho Presj byterian Church in tlie towns in which .lie had resided. He was an eider of tlie Feilding Church for a lengthy ! period as well as superintendent of of the Sunday school and in the cause of both institutions his work and interest never slackened. In his private and social life tlie deceased gentleman applied tlie precepts of his religion. His quiet, unassuming nature and lovable personality earned for him a great respect and admiration from all whom he met. His tolerant outlook and principles of life made the saying of the hard words foreign to his nature and by his passing Feilding loses an upright and gentleman. Tlie late Mr Spence's hobby and recreation was howling and as an active member of tlie Oroua Bowling Club both his knowledge of tlie game of Ikiwls and liis interest in tlie club made him a valued unit in its progress. Some years ago tlie deceased gentleman married Miss Barbara Coonibo, a member of a well-known Feilding family whose foundation associations with tlie Presbyterian church are among tlie happy 'annals

of that institution in Feilding. With her late husband Mrs Spence lias carried on the labours of her parents for the church they loved and in the loss of her husband after a life in which lie laboured not in vain to practise tlie principles of his belief, the deep and heartfelt sympathy of their wide circle of friends and relatives will go out.

BAND CONTEST RESULTS. Tho Feilding Municipal Band found the competition very keen at tho hand contest at Mnsterton, which It attended on Saturday last, tho local combination securing sixth nlnco in tho quickstep with a total of 218 points. Tills event was won by the Carterton hand with 251 points. Tho following are the points awarded tlie various hands in tlie three events: Wellington Artillery, music 76, quickstep 159, test 74 ; Royal Naval Reserve, 74—150 J—72: Carterton. 77—174—69; Masterton, 74—-1681 —69: Wellington Institute, 78—156 65; Miramar, 75—129—66; Feilding, 69 —149—60; Upper Hutt, 64—144—60. NOTES. Taken in aid of the repair fund to tlie Wairoa Presbyterian Church, damaged in the recent earthquake, the generous sum of £5 13s 3d was obtainel in a retiring collection at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Feilding, on Sunday. On Sunday the Puss Moth monoplane in which Mr W. Jacob, of Xnviten, and his son, returned home on Satur-' day from Auckland, arrived at the Parorangi aerodrome to pick up Mr Jacob, junr., on the return flight to Auckland. Referring to the passing of the late Mr H. Parsonage, of Feilding, tho annual report of the Mnnawntu Swim-1 tiling Centre states: —“During the year death lias removed one of our most valuable members of the executive, in the person of tlie late Mr Harry Parsonage. Not only was he well up in swimming law. hut his knowledge in all matters pertaining to swimming was proverbial. His enthusiasm in coaching and training swimmers was an object lesson to us all. These attributes, together with his geniality and willingness to help at all times, will be sadly missed, and his death, especially to tlie Feilding club, is a very severe loss. To Mrs Parsonage and the Feilding club we extend our sympathy.”

PERSONAL. Air A. Fotheringham, Presbyterian home missioner at Awahuri and Wainta, is at present in hospital, where lie underwent an operation for appendicitis. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. Mr R. M. Watson. S.M., presided at- to-day’s sitting of the Feilding Magistrate’s Court. CIVIL BUSINESS. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default iu the following undefended civil cases: —W. E. Johnson v. C. H. do Alev, £7 10s, costs £1 12s 6d ; AVackrill and Stewart v. L. AI. AVilliamson, £3 16s, costs £1 5s 6d: Oroua County ’ Council v. Elizabeth • AI. Thoms, £4 6s, costs £1 7s 6d. ORDER FOR POSSESSION, j T. Lammas applied for an order for the possession of part of a tenement j against Edward Aloran. In evidence plaintiff said he had taken defendant into his home on August 6, the arrangement being that defendant was to pay 5s ]>er week for the part of tlie tenement lie and his wife occupied. No rent had been received since that date, and there had been nothing else hut trouble in tlie house ever since (defendant had .been taken in. I Questioned by defendant as to who had made the arrangements regarding rent, plaintiff said that defendant’s wife had. Defendant denied that any such agreement had been entered into. Tlie position was that Airs Aloran was to look after Airs Lammas before she went to a nursing home. Tlie Alagistrate said he had no doubt as to the truth of plaintiff’s statement, and he made an qrder for possession on or before Decen?l>er 6. 1 Air Pagan appeared for plaintiff.

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS.

Tiie Wellington Acclimatisation Society charged the Glaxo Manufacturing Co. (N.Z.), Ltd., Palmerston North, that it did unlawfully allow a liquid or noxious mattei, poisonous or injurious to fish, to flow from the Glaxo factory at Bunnythorpc into the Mangaone Stream in which trout exist. Mr Willsoil, inspector to the 'Wellington Society, conducted the prosecution, and Mr •J. Grant appeared for the defendant company. Thomas Andrews, ranger to the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, in evidence, said that on October 7 last he proceeded to the Managone Stream. About half a mile north of Milson lie had found 27 dead trout! Proceeding along the hank witness found a drain flowing into the Mangnonc from the right. The effluvium from this open drain was very strong. As witness went along the stream lie took particular notice of what fish and insert life it contained. The lower portion of the stream near Milson showed a few water inserts, hut the upper part was devoid of insect life. Witness took a sample of water from the drain (produced) and forwarded it to the Wellington office of the society. Mr Grant objected to the exhibit going in as evidence, but the Magistrate ruled otherwise. Above the confluence of the drain and the Mangaone Stream, witness proceeded. the stream abounded in fish and food life. On October 15, with Mr Willson, witness visited the Kahuterawa Stream arid took therefrom 12 trout in good condition. These were taken to the junction of the drain and the Maugaone, where some of them were placed lin containers holding wafer from the drain proper, and others in a mixture of the drain and stream waters. Those in the drain water died in 11 minutes, but were actually distressed after they had been in the water 10 seconds. The fish in the mixed water died in 29 minutes, while the trout which had been placed in clean water above the drain were one and a half hours after liberation still in good order. Another fish was placed , in a gallon and a half of water taken just outside the factory and died in 7j minutes. With Mr Willson, witness interviewed Mr Mitchell, the factory foreman, who, in reply to questions, admitted that a certain amount of sulphuric acid was used in the washing of the cans, and this would find its way into the drain. The drain was an open one about half a mile long from the Glaxo factory to the Mangaone Stream. Fish usually went up the Mangaone in large numbers in spawning time. It was at one time a good fishing stream, but lately had gone out of favour. Yesterday, witness dug a hole in the bed of the Mangaone about a mile below the drain and 12 to 18 inches down found the smell very strong as well as an objectionable sediment. In spawning trout sometimes burrowed in the gravel as deep as eight inches.

Examined by Mr Grant, witness said that no one interested in the Glaxo factory had been present when lie made the experiments with tile fish on October 15. Witness did not walk right up the drain—the only places at which he had inspected it were at tho mouth and where it left the factory. Witness did not know what ran into the drain in its course. The test at the factory was taken just below tho settling tank. Witness was quite prepared to believe that eels were in the drain. He had seen two dead eels in the Mangaone as he went along its hanks yesterday. Milk in itself was not injurious to fish. but a fish could not live in milk. Witness could say positively that the pollution from the drain had killed the trout he had found dead. To Mr AVilsc in, witness said tho condition of the Mangaone Stream yesterday through pollution was worse than he had ewer known it. He had mentioned this fact to Mr Mitchell at the factory, and he had replied that he (Mr Mitchell) did not doubt it, but had added that there would he no further trouble as plant had been put in to cope with the trouble. Mr Mitchell

showed witness the steps, the company had taken to obviate tho placing of the polluted washing in the drain by diverting such washing into an open paddock. (Proceeding.)