Parihaka Road Board.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 21 August 1894, Page 2

Parihaka Road Board.

RAHOTU, AUGUST 20xh,. 1894. Present—Messrs Maxwell (chairman), Corbett, Wells, Caddy, Wright, McHardy, and Morrison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Mayor of Linton on the solution of the unemployed problem, suggesting that the Government be requested to take steps to place the unemployed on the land; build two to five-roomed wooden houses: advise settlers to co-operate; build public schools; allow no institution to be established which would injure settlers in pocket or person ; that all be advised to either go on the land or out of the colony. Mr Wells considered it was all “ tommy rot!” Mr Caddy thought that the circular should be framed. Resolved, That it lie on the table. From Charles McCullum, regarding scrubbing 21 chains in front of his section on the Kahui Road. Resolved, That he be paid Is per chain when it is burned and grassed. [Wells-Corbett.] ' From Mrs Crisp, asking that a culvert be removed from drainage reserve ; otherwise damages will be claimed. Last winter damage to the extent of £SO was done to her property. Mr Corbett stated that he had inspected the place with the engineer, and considered that there was no damage being done to Mrs Crisp’s property. It would cost £lO or £l2 to take out and replace the culvert, and he considered that it would be robbing the ratepayers to do so. The engineer reported that the water might be slightly backed, but not more than a couple of chains. Mr Wright went and inspected it on the 19th instant, when there was a lot of water flowing, and found that there was four inches of water and nineteen inches of spare room in the culvert, and consequently considered that it would be a waste of money interfering with it. Resolved, That this Board consider that the present culvert is sufficient, and that no action be taken. [Wright-Corbett.] From the Land and Income Tax Department, notifying that subsidy of £34 13s lid had been placed to the credit of the Board.

From the District Lands Office, notifying that £240 13s 6d, land fund, had been credited to the Board. Mr Wells asked if the Warea cemetery had been handed over. No information on the subject had been received. From the Egmont Road Board regarding rating on acreage. Moved by Mr McHardy, seconded by Mr Morrison, That it lie on the table. Mr Wells said he was a settler of 35 years’ standing, and had worked under an acreage rate, and under these circumstonces found that local bodies were never short of funds. Then the present system of taxation was introduced in favour of large landholders, by which taxation was placed on improvements. Where the country was settled in small holdings, and there were a great number of bridges and roads to be made, he held that nothing but an acreage rate system would keep them out of the mud. In the year 1860 they had a Is rate, then 9d, with the result that they had plenty of sugar. The lowest acreage rate he had seen was 3d an acre. No improvements were taxed. Those who hold most pay most. Mr Corbett supported the acreage system, as it would be for the benefit of the majority. Mr Caddy would support it if it only applied to road districts. Mr Wright pointed out that a man with fifty acres, valued at £4 per acre, under an acreage rate of 3d, would only pay 4s 2d; whereas at present a f d rate produced 12s 6d ; so that he had no doubt that most of these would like the change. Mr Wells admitted that the argument was sound as far as land on the main road was concerned, but it would act differently in back districts, and it was mostly on their account that he supported it. Mr . Morrison suggested that they should strike a higher general rate, and he thought that ratepayers would pay it more willingly. On a division being called, the motion was carried —ayes, Morrison, McHardy, Wright, and Maxwell; noes, Caddy, Wells, and Corbett. Mr Maxwell then moved, That this Board is in favour of rating on the unimproved value, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the member for the district. Seconded by Mr McHardy.

Mr Maxwell said that the present system was hard on industrious settlers, who were taxed for fencing draining, &c., whilst large holders, who put up a ring fence, only pay a trifling rate in comparison. Mr Corbett thought that notice of motion should be given. Mr Maxwell said that it had been fully discussed before. Motion carried. The Chairman reported that he had held the meeting on the Ihaia Road in connection with the proposed loan. The poll was to be taken on the 28th instant. The Committee appointed to report on the Pungarehu drainage question slated that the drain was not in its natural course. Resolved, That the report of the Committee be adopted. [McHardyCaddy.] Mr Wright moved, and Mr Caddy, seconded, That no steps be taken until the Drainage Board be appointed, Mr Maxwell moved, as an amendment, and Mr McHardy seconded, That Mr Quickington bo instructed to

fill up the drain made by him on the road leading to the drainage’.reserve. The amendment was carried.

Mr Crisp waited on the Board with reference to the drainage question, and went very fully into the matter. After consideration, it was resolved that the motion previously passed be adhered to. [Wells-Caddy.) Resolved, That the clerk prepare plans and specifications for the bridge on the Puniho Road, and submit them to Messrs Caddy and Wells, and then call for tenders, returnable at next meeting. [Wright-Morrison.]

Resolved, That the surface man on the Warea Road be suspended for the present. [Caddy-Wright., Resolved, That repairs to the Cape Road be left in the hands of the overseer to deal with. [Corbett-Wright.] Resolved, That the overseer effect small repairs to Bayly Road. [WrightCaddy.] Resolved, That the overseer attend to repairs on the Paora Road. [Wright-Morrison.] Mr Wright called attention to the bad state of the Te Poko Road. No funds Mr Morrison called attention to a drain on the Whitiora Road, which carried the water on to Mr Lusk’s boundary and flooded the road. No funds. Mr Morrison drew attention to the damage done by pigs on the Ngariki Road. Resolved, That the overseer get the ditches cleaned out and take steps to recover cost from owners. [CaddyWright.] Resolved, That the Engineer get drain on the Parihaka Road cleaned out. [Maxwell-Wright.] Mr Wright called attention to the repairs needed on the Manihi Road. No funds.

Mr Morrison moved, That one month’s notice be given to terminate the present ranger’s engagement, and that fresh applications be called, re,* turnable at next meeting. Mr Wright seconded the motion, and in doing so said that the ranger had neglected his duty, as stock could run on the Te Poko and Ngariki Roads with impunity, whilst unfortunate settlers on other roads were persecuted. Another charge was that the ranger had impounded 22 Maori horses, and had held them illegally, afterwards selling six of them to Witt Kupe for 50s without any- authority. Again, the ranger took some people's stock and drove them to Opunake, whilst with others he drove them to their owners and released them on receiving driving fees. Mr McHardy moved, as an amendment, which was seconded by Mr Maxwell, and carried. That the ranger be called upon to appear at the next meeting of the Board, and give an explanation of his conduct. The Committee appointed to report on the regulation of wheel traffic submitted the following During summer, Ist October to 30th April, up to 3in tires, one and a half tons; over Sin tires, two tons. Daring winter, one half the above. Vehicles with four wheels allowed to carry 50 per cent more. The following loads to be considered equal to one ton :—Halfcord firewood, split fencing, &0., 600 feet sawn timber, one yard earth or manure, three-qarters of a yard of road metal, ten sacks wheat, twelve sacks potatoes,'fourteen sacks oats, 180 gallons of milk. Everything not classified ta go by weight. Mr Wright moved and Mr Morrison seconded, That the width of the tire be altered from Sin to 4in. •

Mr Caddy moved as an amendment, seconded by Mr Maxwell, That the report as submitted be adopted. Carried.

Resolved, That it be submitted to Mr 0. Samuels, and that he be asked to instruct. [Maxwell-Morrison.] • The Rahotu Pound Committee reported that Mr Rotherey was prepared to go on at once with the erection of the pound as soon as the Board fixed the charges they intended levying as poundage fees. Resolved, That the scale of charges provided by the Act be adopted, [Wright-Morrison.] A petition was received from E. O’Sullivan and seventeen others requesting the Board to take steps to raise a loan of £IBOO to metal the Kahui Road from the Main South Road to the boundary of Section 4, and to fell and stump the road from there to the forest reserve. Resolved, That the necessary steps be taken. [Morrison-Wright.] The Chairman moved in accordance with notice given, That a general rate of one farthing in the £ be struck, payable on 17th October. Mr Morrison seconded. Mr McHardy moved as an amendment, That a half-penny rate be struck. No seconder. The original motion was then carried, Mr McHardy dissenting. The overseer was instructed to have some furze on the Ngariki Road removed. • The following accounts were passed: J. McHardy, 12s; W. McLachlin, £4 ; T. J. Smith, £lB 4s ; W. Mills, 7s ; Taranaki County Council, 5s Bd. BOARD. Same members present. • Resolved, That notice be given to Mr Eotherey, that if the gorse be not cut on cemetery reserve within fourteen days that the lease be cancelled.