THE TO LEGATE QUESTION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 943, 28 March 1890, Page 11

THE TO LEGATE QUESTION

THE GATES TO BE RE-ERECTED. ■\ special meeting of the Hutt County Council was hold yesterday week to consider whar, action should be taken with regard to the tollgate difficulty. There wore present—Councillors Brown (Chair man), Darby', Wakehatn, Death, Speedy, Barton, and Monaghan. After some discussion it was decided upon the motion of Councillor Darby, seconded by Councillor Monaghan—‘‘That tbe Inspector of Roads be instructed to re-erect the tollgates destroy'ed by some person or persons unknown, as per resolution of the Council of the 7th instant.” It was then agreed, on the motion of Councillor Barton, seconded by Councillor Wakehatn, “That the various governing bodies within the Hutt County be asked to appoint delegates to meet delegates from the County Council in conference, and endeavour to lay before the Counoil such scheme as shall fairly adjust the incidence of taxation for the maintenance of county road 3 within the county, and bring their recommendations before the Council.” The meeting also decided to give Mrs Madigan, toll collector at Kaitvhara, notice that her services would not be required further. It was decided to appoint Mr T. Bould toll collector at the JSgauranga tollgate, and Mr J. Clen.ent to a similar position at the Hutt road gate, the salary in each instance to be £2 per week. As the Council officials neglected to notify us of the meeting, we are compelled to rely on the report appearing in the journal to which notice was given.

The tollgate question was discussed at a meeting held at the Ngauranga public ball last Friday evening. There was a fairly large attendance, and Mr C. B. Izard, M. H.R., presided. Mr Izard remarked that he took the chair with much pleasure, sympathising as he did with those who protested against the residents of a small part of the county having to keep such a large extent of public road. At tbe same time ho expressed disagreement with those who had used violence, for he considered it a mistake altogether for people to have taken the law into their own hands. (Mr Poole : Hear, hear.) Apart from that he would assist them as much as was in his power. He expressed a hope that an amicable settlement would bo arrived at, and that, if possible, there would be a conference of tho bodies interested. But, above all, while every means to a satisfactory termination were used, he counselled avoidance ot violence. (Applause.) Mr J. Thompson, who was received with applause, moved that a Committee, consisting of Messrs YVaddington, Cook, Exley, Dimock, Thompson, Menteath, Retter, and Pomfrey, be appointed, with power to add to their number, to take all necessary legal steps to have tollgates abolished, and to organise subscriptions and otherwise have full power to act. Mr Thompson expressed the pleasure he felt at being there once again to discuss this question after the “fiery ordeal” he had passed through ; and he emphatically disclaimed any intention to use language calculated to induce lawlessness of any kind. (Applause.) He did not altogether approve a meetiug with the County Council to discuss with them how they were to raise their revenue ; he did not know whether any of the local bodies in the district were called upon to show the Council how to get out of their fix. If, however, it was the general wish to approach the Council he would join with them heartily. Speaking generally, he said there was no doubt the quickest way to settle the matter was to test by legal procedure the right of the Council to collect tolls on the 2Sth instaut.

Mr Exley seconded the motion. An invitation to any member of the Council who might be present to cotne forward, met with no rosponae. Mr V. Dimock, speaking to the motion, commented on the attitude of Councillor Monaghan toward the tollgate, and remarked that be (Councillor Monaghau) had no tollgate in his vicinity. It would be a very good thing to have a tollgate at Councillor Monaghan’s back door, and one at his frout door, as was done at Ngauranga. (Laughter and applauss.) The Council levied no rates, and Councillor Monaghan got a guinea every time he came to a Council meeting and had no toll to pay. As to the Borough of Onslow, the Council themselves were to blame, for the Kaiwhara people would have assisted them if they had proposed a rate. He congratulated Messrs Haselden and Thompson on their acquittal that day. (Applause.) Mr LoDg strongly objected to the tollgate, and thought it was monstrous that a man must always pay a shilling to pass the tollbar. “ This is a free country,” he said ; “ we pay our way. But if you make us pay a bob every time we came through, how are we to get bread and cheese and beer in the morning? Haven’t got the money—can’t be done !” Mr Long having advocated violence and referred admiringly to the Hyde Park riots, was called upon to sit down, and did so after emphatically proclaiming “No toll, bo - 1 ’ Tho motion was put ..,d oar Jed unanimously. Mr Cook proposed that Messrs Taylor and Darby, the representatives of this dis-

trict in the Hutt County Council, bo called upon to resign their seats in the Council. (Applause.) He considered their representa-, tivea had “ sold them.” (Applause.) Mr Waddington seconded the motion, which was also carried unanimously. It was further resolved, on the motion of Mr Poole, to circulate a requisition to that effect in the district. Mr Poole remarked that ne did not think there w ere any rate* payers in the county, though he had been “ sat _ upon” by the County Chairman of a meeting at the Hutt the other uivht because he was not a ratepayer. Votes of thanks to the Chairmau aud the press concluded the proceedings.