New Plymouth Harbor Question.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 55, 11 January 1895, Page 3

New Plymouth Harbor Question.

T the coming election. MEETING AT INGLEWOOD. A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Beading Rooni, Inglewood, on Tuesday afternoon to discuss matters connected with the New Plymouth Harbor Board, in view of the approaching election of Board members. Mr I'ranklyn was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called to consider wbat steps should be taken to improve their position with regard to New Plymouth Harbor Board affairs. They were nearly all townsmen on tbe Board at present, and the opinion prevailed that they looked more particularly to town interests, instead of to those of the country people. He referred to an interview he had had with Mr E. Maxwell, of Opunake, a member of the Board, who, by carrying on the Board’s business economically, did not see why the rate should not be reduced to a halfpenny next year and to a farthing in the near future. Last year and the year before propertyholders who had been paying £1 as harbor rate would find this amount increased to £8 or £4, owing to the increased valuation. He urged that decided steps should be taken to have country interests fully represented on the Board, and adopt the course now being followed at Waitara Waimate, Omata, and other districts.

On the motion of Mr Peach, seconded by Mr Perry, it was resolved. That those present form themselves into a committee to ensure the return of country representatives on the Harbor Board, and that the following be asked to .co-operate in the matter : Mr Therklcson, Tariki Road; Dr Hutchinson, Tarata ; Mr C. Lepper, Lepperton ; Mr H. S. Matthews, J unction Road.

During- the course of further remarks, the Chairman stated that Mr Maxwell had informed him that the collection of the harbor rate cost 3i per cent, but he had offers to collect it for 2f per cent, but this offer was not accepted. He had also offers to collect the rate in the Waimate riding for per cent. This rate could be collected for two instead of 3£ per cent, and if country members were returned the collection would be made easy and economical. Eeferring to the division of the rating area into ridings, he said that this proposal had been defeated, but would be carried into effect when the country districts were fully represented. Mr Maxwell had also given him some particulars in connection with the Harbor Board’s Sinking Fund, of one per cent. This had accumulated to £30,000, and although amounts had been set aside by vote of the Board time after time, tbe members desired to make use of it. years this would wipe out the whole debt, provided the debentures

could be bought at par. Unless they returned a set of country members, further sums would be spent against the intcresis of the country settlers. He recollected when the scheme was 'slartel hearing a legal gentleman on a (ruck at Inglewood speaking in its favor. He (Mr Franklyn) asked him what would be the effect if the scheme proved a failure, and he answered that •* they would have the satisfaction of knowing that the money had been spent in the district.” (Laughter.) It was unanimously resolved ih it Mr R. H. Davies, avlio had consented to stand, be one of the country representatives on the Harbor Board. WAITARA. At a meeting of the Raleigh (Waitara) Town Board a circular was read from Mr M. J, Brennan, Secretary to Opunake Committee, as to full country representation on the Now Plymouth Harbor Board, and asking for the Raleigh Town Board’s co-opcr.ition in the matter. It was suggested that six members should be nominated from the country districts, as follow': One each from Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford, and Parihaka, and two from Waimate, and that meetings of the ratepayers be held for that purpose. The, Chairman and Mr T. Elliott agreed that the movement was a step in the right direction, the former urging that immediate action be taken, as the election of members of New Plymouth Harbor Board would take place shortly. The latter said that it was the only way to get fair representation on the Board, as at present the country representatives were out-voted on the Board.

Daring the course of further discussion, the Chairman said that it had been report id that £850,000 had been spent by the New Plymouth Harbor Board. It was understood that when the loan was obtained the income derived from the Land Fund would be placed in the hands, cf the Sinking Fund Commissioners, but tins had not been donei It was understood that the amount derivable from the sale of Crown lands would obviate any necessity of levying a late. As matters stood at present the town members could snap their fingers at the country ratepayers.

Mr T. Elliott,said the increase of the overdraft was also a dangerous thing. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Wyllie, seconded by Mr Ediott, That this Board approve of the suggestions contained in the circular from the Opunake Committee, and request the chairman to see the of the Clifton County Council and Wai : tara West Road Board, and arrange for concerted action in the matter. — Record. CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL. The following letter was received by the Secretary of the Opunake Committee : Clifton County Council Office, Waitara, Bth January, 1895. To Mr M. J. Brennan, Secretary Opunake Committee. Sir, —lie N.P. Harbor.—Your letter to hand dated 21st December,. 1891, and in reply I have the honor to inform you that the contents will be circulated in the district, and that the Clifton Council are in favor of the country being more represented. 4 I have the honor to be, &c., F. Fun/r, Clerk.