STRATMORE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10653, 30 June 1896, Page 2

STRATMORE.

[ritOM A CORRESPONDENT.]

MEETING RE METALLING EAST ' ROAD. ?" E 9^r\ WTW T d on Wednesday; Ji-ne 24th about sixty ratepayer being pie.ent. On the motion of Mr Philn « voided by Mr God*il, *, r Brewc;w a J v *id to the cba-.

A»r Brewer explained the object of the meeting and B rud they were tbe same as explained at the late Stratford meeting viz., to raise a loan of £5,000 .to be supl plemented by about £10,000' from the Government, with the object of continuing tho metal for 25 miles to the foot of the Wangamomona Saddle. It should be stipulated that 12 inches of metal be put on to a width of 12 feet JB e hor;od ltweuld not seem out of place for him to say so, but he thought it ought to be pomtod out how largely the big holders had contributed to the advancement ©1 the district by their liberal expenditure all along the East Road in the Toko Huiakama, and Pohokura blocks and that they were deserving of some consideration from the Government. He w.shed to point out tint the Council would finally decide what lands should be included in the special area The metalling of the road wonld be of enormous benefit to all served by it iv fact some of the men phwed inland could not remain without it.

Mr King asked what rate would be required ?

Mr Brewar said it was estimated it would be about Id por acre Mr O. W. Franks asked whether sections near Toko on recently metalled portion would be included ? Mr Philipps said it was proposed to include those on the road back to Toko. Mr Philipps moved that, In the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the sum of £5000 be raised under Loans to'Lroal Bodies Act, as contribution of the settlers towards the further metalline of tha Ohura road to the foot of the Wangamomona saddle, the said contribution to be conditional upon tha completion of the road to the point mentioned rithin two years. Metal to be 12 inches thick and U feet wide. Tenders to be called for in September, so as to allow of work being started a» soon as weather permits. Mr Lai jon seconded. Mr Philipps said he 1 ad decided to support tma method of rawing the money after much consideration. He did not approve of the principle of settlers having to make a road like this-oneof the most important arterial roads in tho colony It was, however, not a question of principle, but of expediency, as they could not s;et tbe Government to do toe work they should do, at least not st present. No doubt if they waited years the Govornment wonld eventually do it, but in the meantime tbe absence of metal ie3ulted in a heavy tax upon them all. aid woald irnke it impossible to live in I the more remote districts.

¥ r ?S cki Ba J d that the estimated cost of £600 per mile was not enough; it would cost £800. B '

f vif™* ! he amouni wa * fised at ±5000, without knowing exactly what the cost would be, but it -Woffered on condition that Government supplemented it with sufficient to carry metal to Wan<umouona saddle. °

Mr Godsal remarked that the Chairman t ?! nt A one . d differ en«al rating ; he thought th* intention as regard* this should be made quite clear, as othe--wise some might be milled into supporting the loan proposal. For him- elf, he was opposed to it, and though ia this case it might seem selfish of, him to say so, as bis property was on the main road, yet m Waimate, where he lived, he was qoite willing that all his rates accruing on a bye-road should be spent away from hia property on the main road, as a good mam road was the, essential thing He felt sure the Council would not favour differential rating. Mr Walters thought Mr Godsal had raned a very important question ; he d?d not think that those Ike himself valued as high as £6 should pay as much potpound as those of a lower value . Mr Biernacki said the settlers in his district already had to pay a 44d rate and they could not pay a double rate . The Chairman said he agreed" with Mr Godsal as to a differential rate ; be meant merely that a uniform rate would iave a different effect owing to various values. Mr Biernacki said the Gov«rnment wera moully bound to do the road they were paying Is rent, and 4Ad roadine rate ; they wero willing to help, but they conld not afford to do too much Mr W. King said Mr Biernacki waa in error in tlr -king that the 4£d rats waa for road making. MrSteuartsaid this talk was almost useless, for they wonld be rated on. Council s valuations and nothing else % Mr Joblin thought that a few shillings snould not be considered where a road was so essential.

Mr Philipps remarked that thirds of rent could be employed to pay interest in part.

Mr West moved an amendment, afterwards withdrawn, that sections on main road pay Id in the £ ; thoso one mile backed.

Mr Biernacki seconded. The Chairman pointed ont that tbe meeting could not decide as to rates : tbe Council decided that.

. TQT Q h * m % tioQ WBS then Pnt, and curried by 30 to 3.

The Chairman then raised the question of appointing delegates to go to Wellington. , Mr King asked if a petition would not serve all purposes ? Mr Godaal said that in his experience a petition would be of no, value at»l2 unless taken down bjr delegates. After some discussion it was ev*atually decided that Messrs McCluggage, Larson aootL Philipps, and Godsal proceed to Wellington on Tuesday to interview Ministers

Mr Gill-Carey said that through the kindness of tho County Clerk, Mr Malone he and Messrs Philipps and Godsol had had tho advantage of a roferenoe to thecounty books and maps till a late hour last night, and farther that Mr MaJone had snggested the formation of a committee to go thoroughly into all egssutial mattors-of area, &0., and ha now inovodl that such a committee be formed. Messrs Brewer, Philippa, Gill-Carer, Frere, McAtoon, Fogwill, Larson, Godsal, and MoOluggage were then elected a committee.

The meeting terminated with n hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, and to Mr Phihpps for tha use of the room ■ it was.also generally remarked that Mr GillCarey hail baen very energetic in workingfor the road. h

A letter from Mr Cowera was read, in which he consented to the inclusion of his property, although he held it to be the. duty of the Government te- metal the road. Also, letters were received froja ' Messrs Sinclair and McCluggage in favor o£ proposal.

Mr Gill-Carey alluded to tha desirability of tbe East Riding having .> resident member,, which remark mot with general approval.

The meeting, which, considering the state of the roads, was very large and representative, usas enthusiastic throughout, and great hopes are entertained of & successful interview with Ministers.