PUBLIC MEETING AT PAPAROA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11433, 25 July 1900, Page 6

PUBLIC MEETING AT PAPAROA.

A MEETING of ratepayers was called for July 9 to consider tho following important mat-ters:-(l) The closing of useless roads in the riding; (2) a supplementary vote of .£lO out of tho rates towards the cost of wharf and shed at the Paparoa landing; (3) the question of hanging up the Counties Act and forming a Road Hoard; (4) and tho revaluing of I'ahi township and suburban unsold lands. Mr. Skelton occupied the chair. In regard to the first proposal, the chairman said that all that could bo done was simply preliminary. Mr. Cliff proposed,' and Mr. Dodds seconded, " That settlers should suggest these roads it is desirable should be closed; the same to be marked on a map and submitted to a future meeting of ratepayers boforo forwarding to the Council." Carried. Mr. Parsons moved, and Mr. Davidson seconded, " That notices be posted to let tho public know of the above resolution." Carried. Ite the second item of business, Messrs. Cliff and Ariell were a deputation to the Council, asking for a sum of £20, to supplement the £50 in hand, as the plans prepared would require an expenditure of £70. It was thought that if Paparoa and Mareretu would divido the cost between them it could he done, and Messrs. Skelton and Worthington were instructed to call meetings ill tbeir ridings to consider it. Messrs. E, Tibbits and Davidson moved, " That only the money available should bo expended.' Messrs, J, It. Cliff and Arioll moved, "That the sum of £10 bo voted, conditionally on, Mareretu doing the same." Seven voted for the amendment, and five for tho original motion; the amendment was therefore declared carried. The question of forming a Road Board was then considered. The chairman said that at tho last Council meeting the clork had applied for assistance in tho office, hut that they had decided that they could not exceed the money they were now paying, viz., 5 nor cent, on the Councils transactions, which amounted to £165. Tlio question of employing an engineer for. tho county naturally came up. The clerk's work would bo lessened and the services of a surveyor dispensed with. Messrs. Wilson, Parsong, Ariell, Cliff, and others spoke, when the chairman was requested to procure a copy of the new Local Government Bill that will shortly bo before Parliament, and submit it to tho ratepayers at their next meeting; and the meeting resolved, "That in'the meantime the question bo held over till next meeting of ratepayers." Re the fourth"'proposal,, as Boon as it was understood that there was a considerable area, of Palii suburban unsold lands valued at £3 per acre and upwards, and some township land valued excessively high, it was resolved, "That in the interests of settlement tho Council be requested < to have the ' land ;■ revalued."'.'Mr. K. Tibbits asked if the Council would tako steps to' have-the goras "cleared .'ion; ; tho roads, : ; Mr. .Skelton ■> stated that ho had served notices on owners to : clear the gorse opposite their properties; and some had conformed and some had not. *Be was, "watching with interest the result of a tost case, in the Manukau County, whore the combined . Road Boards were prosecuting for non-clearance of ! gorse. ■;.\i- It : . was said that :i wherever sheop brushed against' gorse bushes they "took tho I • need : ; into their wool, ' and carried :it *- away, ! and. in t that -way.* the ■.;■ nuisance was . beins . spread <• over = valuable .paddocks.; V. The "next meeting of ratepayers is to be hold prior to the next .Cowioll \ meeting ■-■ in >. September.— ; [Own Correspondent,] 1 ~ - '