REVERSDALE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1805, 25 June 1886, Page 13

REVERSDALE.

Junk '22. — A meeting of ratepayers was held in Gr' en's Hull on Saturday evening last, to consider what steps should be taken in re tbe Waimea Plains railway rates. The meeting was fairly well attended, and the representative of tho district, Mr W. A. Donald, presided. The chairman having stated the object of the meeting and explaiued the position of matters, read a letter from the ratepayers' solicitors, from which it was shown that litigation against payment of the "half rates" would be fruitless and opposed to the pecuniary interests of the ratepayers. Mr John Hall moved and Mr R. Curio .seconded a resolution " That no further legiil proceedings be taken to restrain the Waimea Plains Railway Company from collecting half of the four years' rates struck by them." Messrs Grey and Smaill supported the motion. An amendment moved by Mr Jas. Hamilton, and seconded by Mr D. M'Gregor, '• That we oppose payment of the half rat/ Jwa. t e c r atived by an overwhelming majority . Mr E. King proposed, and Mr Hall seconded a motion, " That the Central Committu request the company to extend the time for payment of the half rates'' which was unanimously adopted. After much desultory talk it was resolved on the motion of Mr A. M'Kay that a petition be presented to the Government through the district member, praying them to assist in paying the half rates. Finally, it was decided that the delegates request the central committee to wind up the accouuts, and that they be urged to secure the appointment of a careful person to collect the money due for defending the ratepayers and, with a vote of thanks to the chair the meeting dispersed.

Obituary. — In the obituary columns of the Mataura Ensign of the 15th inst. appeared the notice of the demise of one of the most esteemed residents of Waikaia. I refer to the late Mr John Matheson, who died at the residence of his brother, Mr Ewin Matheson, merchant, on the 9th inst,, from pneumonia, aged 41 years. The deceased, who vas unmarried ; was ill but a few days prior to his death, aud his friends never thought the approaching end was so near. All that human aid could suggest was done for him, but his hour had come and his spirit fled peacefully away. Mr Matheson was well acquainted with pioneer work in the early days of Switzers, where he spent most of his life. He was a quiet unassuming man, yet he possessed many sterling qualities and was universally beloved and respected by all with whom he came in contact. His remains were conveyed to lnvercargill, and interred in the family burying ground in East Road cemetery.