RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Northland Age, Volume 17, Issue 33, 13 May 1920, Page 5

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

At the recent meeting of the Mangonui County Ratepayers’ Association considerable discussion centred round the question of timber haulage on roads, the general opinion expressed being that the industry should be encouraged but that undue damage to the roads must be prevented. Mr. E. C. Matthews expressed the opinion that Mr. J. B. Thompson, Chief Drainage Engineer, had not treated the people fairly in not going over the swamp during his last visit. Messrs A. W. Masters and D. H. Lewis concurred. Messrs F. H. S. Matthews and J. M. Forster pointed out that Mr. Thompson was seriously ill during his visit and had since been at death’s door. Mr. H. B. Matthews expressed the opinion that when the work was finished the rates would make them “ squeal.”

Mr. E. C. Matthews complained that the plants promised by Mr. Guthrie for the planting of the sand areas had not been supplied. Mr. Masters said that the sand was now close to the Kaitaia swamp and the position was serious. Mr. Dunlop Smith wished information as to who were to bear the cost of the proposed Awanui Navigation scheme, the Drainage Area or the whole W estern Area. The information was not forthcoming.

Mr. Forster brought up the question of the National Endowment lands urging the freehold. He also urged that these lands should be thrown open at once. Messrs Grigg, H. B. Matthews, and A. Wright, agreed, the latter urging that in cases where no applications were forthcoming from soldiers that the land be thrown open for public selection. Mr. Grigg brought up the question of putting Victoria Valley gravel on the Awanui road with which he was much disappointed. Mr. Houston explained that owing to the failure to get the white metal delivered the Council had no other alternative, otherwise they would be cut off from the port during the coming winter. The Council had done its best. Mr. Holder thought that the Victoria Valley metal should have been screened. If a shute had been erected enough would have been saved in shovelling to enable this to be done. Messrs Forster and Smith pointed out the difficulty with regard to labour. Mr. A. W. Masters complained of the manner in which the metal was being put on the roads. Some of it was only chucked on and he had not seen the Engineer in his district for a year. Mr. Grigg said that this was business for the Council to deal with. Mr. McMullen pointed out that the Council had to step in and take over the contract on the Awanui road at the eleventh hour to save the road to the port from being blocked during the winter and it was most fortunate that the Council had the motor trucks otherwise they could not have carried out the work.

In reply to Mr. Masters, Mr. Grigg said that he did not intend to accept the challenge issued by Colonel Bell. In the Press report it appeared that he had said that no ruling of the chair should be criticised, what he really said was that the ruling of the chairman should be submitted to if it bounds of reason. Other minor matters were attended and the meeting terminated.