OPUNAKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8314, 22 July 1890, Page 6

OPUNAKE.

When' a movement is made in the way of advancement in a place there is always a, certain amount of interest to the pu!iii<; there. Although some heavy knocks have been given to business people, they do nut say die. Messrs. 11. J. and J. Newman have erected a spacious verandah to the front of their warehouse, which has given it a neat appearance. Messrs. Still and Raikc, other merchants, have made great improvements in the interior of their store under the supervision of Mr. Scott. Mr. Prosser, of hotel fame, is getting a lofty stable erected, while Mr. Middleton lias had some new buildings added to his hotel, giving it a finished appearance, as well as being useful. Mr. Seccombe has started a land agency, &c., in all its branches. Mr. Peppered icleaning up the main street under the supervision of the County Council. Everyone seems to have put their premises in order for the winter. Mr. Newman, the worthy chairman of the Town Board, will take his place at the next meeting ; the acting chairman does not appreciate the honour. Mr. G. W. Gane has given notice of motion, to be dealt with at the next meeting of the Parihaka Road Board, " That all persons having obstructions on any roads under the control of the Parihaka Road Board he instructed to remove tlie same within three months from the date of the next meeting of the Board. Persons failing to comply, the Board will do so at once at their expense." Theobject Mr. Gane has in view is to equalise taxation, for at the present time persons who improve their holdings by fencing, plantations, &c., which are not reproductive, having to pay rates on it, whereas others, having large holdings of land, neglect to erect fences, but place gates, &c., across roads, which is the means of putting a heavier tax on the majority of ratepayers for the benefit of the few. The Road Board are to blame for this state of things, if they allow such to exist. The County Council has given notice to strike a in the £ general rate and .{d poor rate. We have also toll-gates and license to pay for vehicles; also very bad roads. Our members saw lit in the Council to raise two officers' salaries to the amount of £50 per annum. To illustrate the effects of gates, &c., across public roads : A person who has improved his place, <!tc., when the valuator conies round, he values accordingly. The other person's place, not having those improvements, is probably valued at ;j(Js per acre less, he then having the grazing of the roads thrown in, paying nothing for that. The road, county, poor, and harbour lates are struck 011 this valuation ; therefore, if the rate is ten farthings in the pound, and one person has 1000 acres valued at 30s per acre less through having these gates, &c., across roads, that makes a difference of £15 12s (id to the fund. Then why should such things exist? Some persons say gates across unused roads affect no one ; but by the foregoing it is clearly shown that it affects all —the individual particularly, to the amount of £I,'> Pis (id. Therefore it behoves the Road Board to take action, and act for the benefit (.J ratepayers, and not for a few individuals ; so, if the Road Board gives three months' notice, that will give those ratepayers interested lime to fence their land.[Own Correspondent.]