The Levels Road District.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4909, 18 January 1889, Page 4

The Levels Road District.

MBELTING- AT WABHDYKB. A meeting convened by Mr W. Balfour was held in the Washdyke schoolroom last evening, to hear his explanation of the position of the ward ratepayers as affected by a recent resolution of the Levels Road Board, and his proposal to separate and form a new road district. There were between 30 and 40

people present, and Mr W. Stevenson was voted to the chair.

Mr Balfour repeated the statement made at Kerrytown the previous evening, which was practically the same that he had made at meetings of the board in opposition to the resolution adopting the ward ‘system of accounts.

Mr Balfour having finished his statement, and explained what he conceived to be the only alternative to injustice, separation, was subjected to a trenchant and amusing cathechism by Mr Stocker, a ratepayer of the Point ward. Who was to keep up the road from Washdyke to Timaru ? The Levels Board! And Seadown pay nothing? Do you think we’il keep up that road for you to use, and let you pay nothing ? We’il putup a turnpike. You’re a member of the board, why don’t you get the rates spent fair ? Yes, I know, I believe you tried. But if you separate you’ll travel that road free. We can’t stand that! We’ll have a turnpike. Mr Balfour in reply said that that was just what Seadown said. 'I he other wards said Seadown must keep up the road for the Point to travel on free. Was that fair ? The boot was just on the other leg at present, and Mr Stocker was their best champion.

Mr Stocker : I don’t see why you should travel on the road and not pay for it. Mr Mitchell: But are we not trying to force on them the injustice we object to ? Mr Balfour: No, we are forcing injustice on no one.

Mr Mitchell: It comes to the same thing,

Mr Balfour: If we separate the main road will be in such a position that there will be a great outcry about it. The County Council would perhaps undertake to keep up the main roads, Pareora to Eangitata, and Timaru to Cave. If that were done the Eoad Boards could get on, and need not rate so highly. Mr Mitchell thought it would be a great pity to separate; but as the board were going to force this great injustice upon them, there was nothing else for it but separation. It should be known that their member had the support of the ratepayers in what he had done. But was there no chance for conciliation ? some agreement to have the main roads kept by the wards jointly, Mr Balfour said there were three members, a majority of the board, pledged to carry out the resolution, and he did not see the least chance of their changing their minds. Mr Mitchell said they might now they saw that Seadown meant business.

Mr Gillatt moved, and Mr Mitchell seconded, a similar resolution to that passed at Kerrytown, and this was carried by 12 or 14 to 1.

Mr Stevenson proposed, and Mr Mitchell seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Balfour for fighting the battle of the ratepayers, which was carried unanimously, and, on the motion of Mr Campbell, it was agreed to leave it to Mr Balfour to get out the petition, on the understanding that he should be recouped any expense he might have to incur. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting.