IMPORTANT MEETING AT MURCHISON.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11966, 20 June 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

IMPORTANT MEETING AT MURCHISON.

LOOAL GOVERNMENT, COUNTY FOR HAMPDEN RIDING. On Tuesday, May 21, a, very largely attended meeting, having regard t . the long distance which many of those present had to travel, was held at Murchison. Mr R, McKenzie, M.H.R., had journeyed by way of Westport in order to be present, and some of those interested had travelled from ten to sixty miles. Mr Lawn was voted to the chair. £io snid that they all knew the object for which tho meeting had boon called, namely, to consider tho question of separating the Hamp den Kic]ing from Inaugahua County and forming a new county. Many of them had considered the pros and cons and as they wished to hear Mr McKenzie, ho called on that gentleman to address them. Mr Bredbury sent an apology, beins unable to attend. Mr McKenzie said that some time had passed since he had the pie a sure and tho honor of last meeting t'.mni, but during the interval there had been many changes and some grievous losses. He referred to the time when the ablest man in New Zealand addressed them in that hall, but since then the colony bad lost its best man. He also alluded to the terrible misfortune that had befallen one of their neighbours ana said he was sure that Mr Thomas 801 l had the sympathy of every man and woman in Inaugahua County, lie then spofce of their desire to form a county of their own and expressed his belief that their isolation auc their growing importance justitiec the step. He said he intended tt help them because he believed il would be better for the district. While in Westport he wrote cut a Separation Bill for thorn and had three copies made. He reminded them, however, '.that in separating they would take up new responsibilities. The Bill proposed that the new County should come into existence in April 1908. They would have to be responsible for their pro rata share of the general indebtedness of the Inaugahua County, and if there had been any special loan for the Hampden Riding they would be responsible for that. They had not borrowed money since he had been ;heir member, but he waß not aware whether they did so before. He was not satisfied" with the way the Inangahua County Council had treated them and considered that as they were so far from the centre of administration it would be better for them to separate, but they would have to pay for the luxury. He did not think, however, that they would have to pay more than at present. He did not think he would have any difficulty in getting the Bill through and he hoped they would flourish. After referring to other subjects of oeneral and local interest he said that under the last alteration of boundaries Murchison would not be in his electorate, but as long as he had a rote in Parliament he would always help them in any way he could. Mr Joseph Brown asked for more information regarding the establishin? of a County for Hampden. Mr McKenzie said that the Hampden Riding contained 1,030,000 acres, and the rest of the County 450,000 acres. The capital value of rateable property in the Hampden Riding was £84,680 and In the rost of the County it was £259,351. In 1905-6 the money spent in the Hampden Riding was £570 and in the rest of the County £3847. Their share of the present debt of £5200 would be £1560 and their share of the overdraft of £0000 would be £ISOO. With a new County it was estimated uhat rates of 2J4d in the pound would yield £540, miscellaneous £240, Government subsidy £108, licenses £6:», land thirds £500, total £1451. The expenditure was estimated as follows : — Salary clerk £100, chairman £25, overseer £170, engineer (when wanted) £100. oflico expenses £50, and interest £70, and other expenses £226, leaving a balance of £710 for expenditure. [n reply to Mr A. Thompson, Mr McKenzie' spoke of the overdraft. Hn said it was never intended that a local body should be able to get an overdraft equal to its receipts but only thai; it might overdraw to the extent of the rates outstanding. Mr Lynch said that out of the special loan, some £2000 was spent many years ago on the main Buller Road —on bridges and cuttings. Mr Walker spoke of the amount that would come in from land thirds though all would not come in at once. Mr A. Thompson asked whether the new Council would be responsible for making roads to all the newly taken up lands. Mr McKenzie said these lands would be roaded out of the Land Improvements Account, but the Council would be responsible for the mainteirr :,>.> of the roa-ds after they were made. A show of hands was then taken to ascertain how manyjvere in favor of separation, when a large number ware held up for and none against. Mr O'Rorke asked whether those whose applications for land had been granted would have to pay rates before their leases were granted. Mr McKenzie did not think aoyone would be asked to pay rates till they got their titles. He advised them not to pay if they were asked. In reply to Mr J. Brown he said he did not" think there would be any difuuulty in getting separation. They would have to advertise the -Bill aud lodge it in court. The lnangahua County Council might raise an objection, but he did not think they could raise an objection that Parliament would listen to. Their old friend, the Hon. R. Reeves would be sure to look after the measure in the | Upper House. There would, of course, have to be an adjustment of accounts between the old and new Councils. The Chairman expressed the opinion that as they had resolved in favour of separation that it would be well to set up a committee to see that their wishes were given effect to. It was resolved that a committee be set up consisting of Messrs O. Lynch, Walker, A. Thompson, J. Brown, E. Kerr, Downie, Wilkie, Bilby, R. Win, T. Bell, McNa mara, J. Rail, O'Rourke, L. Bai-* gent, C. Travers. and Lawn.