TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 25

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL

ADJUSTMENT OF RIDINGS At a special meeting on Feb. 29 the Tuapeka County Council took into consideration a report by the engineer (Mt J. Edie) and Mr X. Pilling on the proposed alteration of the boundaries of ridings. The Chairman explained that there had for a considerable time been a demp.nd from the upper ridings for readjustment, the members for thes3 ridings claiming that on the basis of revenue they were not fairly represented, and also that in the matter of expenditure they did not get their fair proportion. A deputation of ratepayers was present, but took no part in the proceedings. The report which was prepared made the following recommendations: — Waipori Riding. — This riding should be extended to take in the part of Waitahuna Riding lying to +he nortn of Clarke Riding and extended east to Tuapeka East district at Waitahuna. River, striking it where Waita-huna-Waipori road crosses. Waitahuna Riding would be curtailed by ths parts above being given to "Waipori Riding, and the northern portion of Clarks Riding from the old goldfields boundary line should ba added on to Wsitahuna to foiai the new riding- of Waitahuna. Gabriels Riding to be extended, taking in all lhat portion of Beaumont Ridmg lying to the east of the Clufha, River, except the portion from Big Hill to Beaumont, which is to be given to Browns Riding. Brcwns Riding. — The lower portion of Clarks Riding from goldfields boundary to Clutha River to be added to Browns Riding, and also the portion of Beaumont Riding, from Big Hill to Beaumont and down the Clutha. River to Elliott's Flat. Teviot Riding to take in that portion cf

the present Teviot Riding lying to the eastf of the Clutha. River. Benger Riding. — The new riding (say Benger Riding) to take in all that part of the present Teviot Riding lying to. .the west of the Clttiha River, and, , starting at the extreme south-west point of the present Teviot Riding, to take in the -northern, portion of James .Riding^., then running south-east to catch the -Main road Dunrobin to Moa Flat ; then running aloug said road line to junction of new road then running along the new road to schoolhouse on Moa Flat estate ; and then along the south boundary of Howell's, Heath's, and Mxillane's properties, joining the Main road (Lawrence to Roxburgh) near the top of Island Block. Beaumont Riding. — Starting at the top end of Island Block, and going west along Muli lane's and Heath's properties to the schoolhouse, then in a south-easterly direction, taking the roadline to Edieyale Railway Station; then along road 60 chains towards Rae's Junction ; then due south over to top of Blup Mciintains; then soiUh-west along the Rankleburn Creek to junction of Pomahaka River; then north-east along county boundary to Chitha River ; then up river to I starting point at top end of Island Block. I James Riding, starting at the Pomahaka I River, with the junction of Tapamii Riding; then nortl- and east along old riding boundary to corner of section 5, block X|l, Crookston, near Mr Stewart's house; then north to Main road, Edievale-Rae's Junction ; then -west to Ediovale Railway Station, 60 | chains ; then follow Main road line up to th* i sehoolhouse, Moa Flat Estate; then still j keeping to roadline up to top of hall and I follow the main ridge over into Pomahaka, | River strking the south-west corner of the | old Teviot Riding; then follow the present boundary of riding back to starting point. | Tapanui Riding. — Starting 1 at Pomaheika j River with junction d James Riding, then north and east along present riding Ixmndary to corner of section 5, block XI, Crookston, near Mr Stewart's hcuse; then south, to top of Blue Mountains ; then south-west down the Rankleburn ■.'eek to Pomahaka. River; then west f»nd north along Pomahaka River to starting point. Accompanying the report were two tables — one (A) showing the present position and distribution of the ridings, and the othoi (Bj showing the changes suggested. Form A.

Totals .. .. 1,696 £1.214,400 £5,060 P.S. — Shillings and pence omitted. Mr Pilling entered upon a lengthy detailed explanation of the suggestions. They would see that the proposed readjustment provided for five ridings on the east side of the Molyneux River and four on the west side. Tb« five ridings on the east side of the river— Waipori, Waitahuna, Gabriels, Browns, and Teviot — contain 1038 ratepayers, with property of the rateable ve'.ue of £483,600, returning in rates, at one penny in the pound, £2015. The other four ridings — Benger, Beaumont, James, and Tapanui — have 658 ratepayers, with £730.800 worth of rateable property, which wifl produce £3045 of rates. The l«s< four ridings- have 380 ratepayers less than the other five ridings, but contribute £1030 more revenue in rates than the ratepayers' on the east side of the river. In a word, the five ridings on one aids of the river show a greater number of ratepayers than the four ridings on the other side, but the latter have a decided advantage in so far as th« rateable value of property is concerned. It was strongly urped that the act gay« no power to effect the suggested readjust* ment, but a motion \va? carried to the efiec( that the plans, etc.. be appro\ed subject t< minor alterations, tc bs pointed out by meiu bers. — Tuapeka Times.

Riding. "Waipori Waitahuna Gabriels Browns Clarka Beaumont Teviot James Ta-panui Nulnber of ratepayers. .. 115 .. 192 .. 270 .. 175 .. 102 96 .. 234 .. 227 .. 240 Rat«able value. £ 46,590 67,847 44,299 105.422 62.073 33,348 200,527 405 840 242,165 Vahn of rate a/ ldini £ 194 283 185 439 259 164 8.56 1.691 1,009 Totals .. .. 1,651 £1.214,111 £5,060

Form . B. Waipori . r . . Waitahuna Gabrie's Browns Teviot . . . . Ben gc r (new liding) Beaumont $ ad&s Tapanui 119 249 290 2 tO 140 175 103 150 230 £ 49,200 111.600 56,400 124.800 141,600 154,e00 108,000 234,000 234,000 JE2OS 465 235 520 590 645 450 975 975