Stratford County Council

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 57, 18 January 1895, Page 3

Stratford County Council

(Egmont Post.) HARBOR BOARD BATE. A considerable discussion followed on the reading of a circular from Mr Brennan, the chairman and some of the other members questioning the discretion or seemliness of interfering as a local body with the election of another local body. The matter was left in abeyance so far as the Council were concerned, but just after the adjournment for lunch, all those present agreed to act as a committee, to which were to be added the names of Messrs Paton, James, and Biernacki, with power to add to their number, to meet again at 4.80, and consider what steps it were best to take to assist in carrying out the wishes of the promoters of the movement, with which the Council were in sympathy as ratepayers. Several Councillors spoke strongly aa to the necessity for prompt and combined action on the part of the ratepayers, who, if they did not move in the matter now, would regret their stupidaess before long.

There was no doubt the Board could go the full length of their letter, and would put on as heavy rates as the law would allow. The sooner the question was grappled with the better. Things were different now from what they were years ago. Population had increased,, and the value of land was two or three fold greater, so that the rate would be much heavier than before, and if £d were levied it would mean an enormous burden on the ratepayers. The policy should be to nominate six members only, and let the whole district go solid for them. Working committees should be formed in all the centres, and on them would devolve the work of organisation. The sympathy and active co-operation of the leading men all over the district should be enlisted through the instrumentality of strong working committees. A general opinion was expressed that the effect of the Harbor Board rate was keeping the district down and back, as people would not invest while the Harbor Board rate remained in existence. It was stated that there was a question whether it would not be more expedient to levy a heavier rate and extinguish the debt altogether, than retain the burden by which the settlers were now oppressed. 4 hope was also expressed that the utmost unanimity and enthusiasm should be displayed while the opportunity offered, and before it was too late to do anything practical in the desired direction. The whole district must work unitedly with the one object in view. What was essential was the election of a majority in the Board pledged to resist any further expenditure of rate money in repairs. The Government nominated three men and six were elected, and it would be for the ratepayers, as a body, to decide who those six should be, and then vote solid for them.