PROPOSED NEW MUNICIPALITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1340, 4 August 1877, Page 7

PROPOSED NEW MUNICIPALITY.

A large number "f residents in the North^ East Valley Road Board district of the Waikouaiti County, met at the schoolhouse on the 27th, to consider what action should be taken to form themselves into a Municipality under the Act of 1876. A number of the residents of West Harbour were also present. ( Mr Isaac Gkeen, on being voted to the chair, explained the object of the meeting, and also alluded to his action as Chaiimanof the Road Board and as a member of the County Council. He believed that the Counties Act was very unjust. The greater part of the money raised from their end of the County waa expended in the northern portion. He pointed out that the County Council had the power to levy an ordinary aa well as a special rate, aad they were also taxed by the Road Board. To avoiJ this it would be better to withdraw from the County, form a Municipality, and have the control of their own affairs. The boundary of the proposed Municipality \i ould take in the watershed on Signal H;JI, extend to section 82, at the Junction, and include the Pine Hill watershed. Mr Shaw moved— "That this meeting, believing that it will be for the benefit of the locality, considers that this part of the N.E. Valley district should be formed into a Municipality." Mr Andesow briefly seconded the motion. An amendmeut was then proposed by Mr Adams— "That future proceedings with re« £{ird to the new Borough be deferred until they know whether Duuedin will take them in a? an additional Ward." Thia motion waa duly Beoonded and neca« tived. ° Mr Jackman then moved— "That it is desirable that the North East Valley and West Harbour districts separate from the Waikouaiti County. The motion was carried* unanimously. ' Mr Jackman further moved— "That a sub-division be made along the ridge aa .described by the Chairman, and it ba left to each district to join Dunedin or to form separate boroughs as they may think fifcj" Seconded by Mr N. Woods. r The Chairman- objected to put .this motion, as they had met to consider whether the North East Valley district should b> formed into a municipality. They'woufd leave the West Harbour people, to do as they pleased. ' Mr N. Haut, aa a resident of. Ravensbourne, would also retire. He hoped, that he would read in the papers that the' North East Valley people had determined to secede from the County. Mr JACKMAN read the circular which was circulated in his district, asking' ratepayers in the Road Board district to attend. He would leave it to the meeting to consider whether they had a right to attend. ' ''■* The Chairman was entirely in the hands of the meeting, and would put the amendment if it was so desired. The amendment was then put, and carried without one dissentient voice. Mr Moyse moved— "That a Committee be formed to carry into effect the formation of a Municipality, said Committee to consist ef Messrs I. Green, T. Short, J. Farquharson, N. Moyse, J. H. Limbert, 1 J. Longworth, A. G. Watson, J. Anderson, G. Calder, and A. Fraser, and that they be empowered to form the Municipality into Wards. Seconded by Mr M'Leod, and carried. ■ Mr Farquharson moved— "That the gentlemen previously mentioned ba ap« pointed to draft a petition to be forwardjed to His Excellency the Governor, praying him to form this district into a Municipality under the Act of 1876. Seconded by Mr D. Bethune, and carried. Mr J. H. Campbell moved — "Thatavote of thanks bB conveyed to the member representing the riding in the County Council for the manly and independent position taken up by him while urging forward the interest* of the district." Mr Lambert seconded the motion, which was carried amid much cheering. Mr Green briefly replied, asserting he had done all he could to advance their interests, and hoped he would still be able to assist them. . Mr Hart moved— "That Messrs Wood, Grant, Hart, Bolt, Bagley, Hartley, and Stevens be appointed a Committee, with power to add to their number, to take steps to get the West Harbour district declared a Municipality under the Act of 1876." ' Mr WiSTOtf seconded the motion, which was carried. The usual vote of thanks te the Chairman closed the proceedings.