DISTRICT HIGHWAYS ACT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 61, 23 March 1872, Page 6

DISTRICT HIGHWAYS ACT.

A public meeting was called to be beld at Masterton on Thursday, 14th March, at seven o'clock p.m. Mr H. Bannister was called to the chair. Mr Andbew, who addressed the meeting, said he was unavoidably compelled to employ the same arguments he had used before ; for the manner in which the bill was passed led to suspicions. It was passed by town members, with only three exceptions. He objected to the formation of roadß on the valuation of property, and descanted largely on the enormous burden of taxation which would press on the small holder. We wanted no emigrants from IN'orway, nor Chinese scum of the earth. The large proprietor would suffer also, and he considered the districts far too large to be workable, and that great injustice would be done to to the working settlers of Featherston and Carterton. The Carterton settlers were for an acreage tax, which he did not believe in ; still they were right in opposing the act, and the settlers in Porirua had shown their sense in opposing the act. He thought the Stamp Act was quite burden enough. After the usual amount of abuse on the Executive, and their acting illegally, which, he said, was somewhat modified by the fear of his bringing the matter before the General Assembly, the speaker bat down. Mr Masters next addressed the meeting. He said when he left Masterton it/was with the full intention of opposing the District Highways Act, but after hearing the Superintendent's speech he was surprised at the progressive policy initiated by his Honor, and he at once made up his mind to support the Government. He had been six or seven times down to TOte away the revenue for salaries. He had

had various sums placed upon the estimates for roads and bridges, but not one shilling was ever spent for the object. See the short time the Executive havo been in power. After waddling through the mud fourteen years we got our main road made and our rivers bridged. He differed from Mr Andrew, as he considered that both the province and corporation had made a good bargain in the matter of the reclaimed land and wharf. He thought it had been unprofitable for the province till that time. Many of the electors of Wellington said like Mr Andrew that the corporation were paying too dear, that it was a job, at the head of whom was Mr J. Plimmer. Amongst the town members who voted for the bill were Mr Pearce and Mr Hunter, gentlemen who had as much state in the Wairarapa as Mr Andrew. The City Corporation were far better able to manage the wharf, reclaimed land, &c, than any Provincial Government could, and he hoped it wou'd be a profitable concern for them. Mr Andrew spoke in favor of the Highway Act, and then voted against it. He also got £25,000 placed upon the estimates. Where did he expect this sum to come from ? The back surveys were not connected with the small farmers but the large ones. He read from the Government Gazettee for 1860 to show how these very gentlemen Mr Andrew represented had wronged the province. He would only mention one or two names which would suffice : Mr J. Northwood's run, 5200 acres, £5 Bs4td from this run; 15,000 acres had siny? been sold by the Government, not including the homestead. As Mr Andrew had brought Mr D. Biddiford's case forward he might do the same, as he saw Mr Eiddiford down for 27,900 acres, £27 Is Bd. They had been told that Mr Martin came forward and had paid a deposit on 24,000 acres. He could only say success to Mr Martin ; he wished we had many such. Mr A. said we wanted no emigrants from Norway, nor Chinese scum of the earth. With regard to the small farmer, they had taxed themselves to make roads. Hed the largo ones done so ? No. He considered the Norwegians were good industrious people, and would make good settlers. [Mr Andrew said he did not mean to throw a slur on the Norwegians; they were an intelligent religious people.] The value of all the lands in the province was increased by them. The wealth of the country is not in sheep runs, but in population. Mr A. had supported the bill for special settlement, but what use is it without roads ? With regard to education, he wished to see good schools and efficient masters well paid. He should move, "That it is the opinion of this meeting that we accept the act, and give it a fair trial." Mr Euthbefoed seconded the. motion. Mr J. Y. Smith said he did not at all object to taxation, and must say that the present Government had shown great activity since they had been in office. He thought we could not possibly have a better, still he did not agree with the present act. The districts were too large and cumbersome ; he also considered the rate too high—it fell too heavy upon the industrious classes. He thought the speech of Mr Masters tended to set class against class ; that should always be avoided. He considered the rating should be on the annual value : but he would move an amendment upon Mr Masters' resolution. Mr Eockel seconded it. Mr Eenall said he had almost forgotten the meeting, but he was in time to hear the latter part of Mr Andrews' speech, and he really could not understand what he wanted. He told them he wanted the money raised in the district spent there, and the tax, if necessary, to be on rental or annual value. But he should remember that there are lands which have no annual value, and are already a loss ; and he (Mr Eenall) did not think the district too large. What could a small district do in bridging the Ehumaunga, and other rivers ? He even doubted whether the larger ones would not require a special rate. It would be better to make any sacrifice than to have so many valuable settlers drowned for want of bridges. .By this act they would have them done in four or five years ; by an annual rate it might take ten or fifteen years. Mr Andrew complains of the stamp tax, yet he found that Mr Andrew had voted for it. He did not think the valuation would be so high as to injure anyone very much. Mr Masters had very ably shown that their lands had been considerably increased in value by the roads and improvements of the small farmers, and the honor and credit of obtaining the grant from Sir George Grey was due to him, otherwise this part of the country would have been a wilderness like the rest. _ He knew there were persons ready with capital to have purchased it. . He thought the progress made by the present Government was sufficient to demand the support of every settler in the Wairarapa. At least they would have this satisfaction—all would be taxed alike. Mr Masters had, years ago, placed different sums on the estimates for a bridge over the Waipo; he suggested it now to the Government, and he thought it would be done shortly, as the large bridges would be made ior less than the estimate. Mr Andrew wanted the District Highways Act altered or done away with. Now, the assessment is a double one to save l expense, but if any person felt himself overrated he could appeal to the men of their own choosing. If the bill did not suit him (Mr Andrew) why did he not move an "amendment, and not sit there and giv» a silent vote. His colleague said he spoke in favor of the bill, and then voted against it. "One of us must be wrong" ; which is it Mr Andrew ? (No answer was given.) As this meeting was called together by Mr Andrew, it was for him to answer. (Mr Andrew still remained dum). At this time the meeting had a little excitement, the parson being evidently in a fix. He (Mr Eenall) could inform the meeting that Mr Bunny would be up Bhortly and address them. Upon hearing this many left, reserving their opinion for that occasion. The ehow of hande was in favor of the

amendment. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. Mr Mastebs said" before leaving he had asubject of great importance to lay before them. It was the necessity of at once forminor a committee to consider the best mode of erecting a town hall. (Applause). The committee was then named. Mr ANDREW said although he differed with Mr Masters in politics, he would support him in that, and give £5 towards it. Mr J. Y. Smith said he would give £5; and Mr Eenall, £5: The committee meet this night week, so we shall soon have a town hall, which t hope will be an ornament to Masterton. Many expressed great gratification that Mr Masters has the honor to be the first mover. Mr Eockei spoke a few words after Mr Eenall against the act. He wanted annual value. Mr Smith's amendment: That in the opinion of this meeting the Highways Act passed by the Provincial Council at its last session requires revision and alteration, with a view more especially to a considerable reduction of the proposed rates, and a change in the boundaries of the highways districts. That "30 system of direct taxation will be acceptable to the people of this district unless proper measures are taken and at the same time adopted to secure for it a fair share of the customs and territorial revenue.