THE COUNTIES ACT AND HIGHWAY BOARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6146, 29 July 1881, Page 6

THE COUNTIES ACT AND HIGHWAY BOARDS.

A HE3TINO of delegates of various District; Boards, convened by Mr. Bevan, Chairman oi the Karangahape Board, was held last sight at the public school, Archill, ia regard to tho petition re the Abolition of Counties Act. The following representatives were present: —

Messers. Bevau, Burns, and Sexton (Karangahape), Fanlder (Newton), Bailey (Mount Eden), Downey, Soulier, Tobin, Hay, and Birnie (Archill), McElwain (Waitakerei Eisi), Paton and Haslett (Eden Terrace) There were 'also a number of ratepayers present, and Mr. Lambert, the promoter of the petition, was present. Mr. McElwain was called to the chair, and, after referring to the great work undertakeD by Mr. Lambert, he spoke strongly in favour of abolishing the Counties Act.—Mr. Lambert, at some length, explained the hardships which the northern settlers experienced under the Counties Act and the operation of the Rating Act. Tho trustees of fifty-one Koad Boards had now signed the petition.—After some further conveisation, Mr. Bevan moved, "That the petition be entrusted to Sir George Grey, smd that copies of it be forwarded to Mr. Tole (the member for Eden) and Mr. Swanson (the member for Newton), with a request th&t they should support and forward it."—Mr. Faulder spoke in favour of the Counties Act, and considered it was a great pity it had not been brought into force in the county of Eden. He pointed out that suburban districts were not in the name position as those in the North, and it would be rash for them to sign euch a petition without fully weighing it. He for one would not sign it.—Several members present spoke in support of the motion, and after some furtherdiscussionittvascarried unanimously. At the termination of tho proceedings, tho question of making some acknowledgment to Mr. Lambert for his services was raised, and it was suggested that et'ch Koad Board should contribute £1 towards his expenses. A difficulty arose as to whether the .trustees could vote funds for this purpose; but a suggestion that the trustees should personally contribute was favourably received. No resolution was put, but nn understanding was arrived at that this should be the course adopted.—The Chairman stated that Mr. Lambert was at present staying at the Bising Sun Hotel, Karangahape Road, and those who wished to sign the petition before it was forwarded would find him there.—Tho meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.