Taungatara Tollgate.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 55, 11 January 1895, Page 4

Taungatara Tollgate.

At the Taranaki County Council on Monday, a deputation consisting of Messrs Rogers, Hickey, and Read, waited on the Council in reference to the proposal to place a tollgate at the Tanngatara River. Mr Rogers acted as spokesman, and stated that at a public meeting held at Opuuake they were appointed a deputation to ask the Council to reconsider their decision.

A petition had been signed by a large number of ratepayers at tbe southern end of the Opunake County, and also by all settlers in the OpUnake special loan art a. Mr Rogers here read the petition, which pointed out reasons why the gate should not be erected. The Chairman said the proposal wr s the outcome of the financial position of the Council. It was desirable that the bridge at the Taungatara should be replaced, and it was decided to erect a gate to defray the cost. The Council did not wish to impose any hardship, and if the toll was not levied they could not erect the bridge.

Mr Rogers: Well, Mr Chairman. I believe the settlers would _ prefer having a ford rather than the imposition of a toll. It simply means if this gate is put up the southern end of the Parihaka Riding would be killed.

Mr McGloin said he had always protested against the erection of tbe gate as proposed, and he was still of opinion that it would be an injustice. Mr Connett said the Chairman had put the matter clearly. The Council was financially embarrassed and could not erect the bridge without assistance. Mr Peters stated that there was nothing definitely settled about putting a gate at the place. Mr Okey said the Parihaka Riding had already overdrawn its account by ,£2OO. This was the reason why the proposal was made. The Council did not wish to have a permanent tollgate, Mr Rogers said the Parihaka Riding already had one gate at its door. Mr Horrocks : would you not agree to a loan ?

Mr Rogers : Well, I think it would be preferable to a tollgate, but it is difficult to get the settlers to agree to it. The absentees would kill the proposal. Tbc deputation then withdrew. . A short discussion took place at a later stage of the proceedings, re the vesting of the Taungatara bridge in the Hawera County. Mr Adlam moved, that it be vested, and that the Hawera Council be informed that the Taranaki Council is not in a position to re-erect the bridge —Lapsed for the want of a seconder. Mr McGloin moved and Mr HorrocL,-' seconded, that the Tauugatara bridge 'be vested in the Hawera County Council, and they be informed that the Council will contribute towards the cost of re-erection when in funds. Carried. —News.