THAMES AND WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XI, Issue 2912, 27 April 1878, Page 3

THAMES AND WAIKATO RAILWAY.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMENCE.

A conference between the local governing bodies of the Thames and "Waikalo districts was carried on by telegraph yesterday morning. The members of the local bodies assembled at tho Borough Council Chambers, where the resolutions agreed upon wero written and transmitted through the tolograph to the Waikato bodies, who returned replies. The members present wero: --His Wor> ship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Benahaw, Bagnall, Hume, Hogg, Howe, Ehrenfried, McQowan, and W. Uavics.

Mr Bagnau statod that Mr Brodio was unable to attend, as he was absent in Auckland, carrying on a communication with tho Hon. Mr Sheohan, iu Wellington, with roferenco to the native troubles in Ohinemuri.

The proceedings 'wcro*opened by the Town Clesk (Mr F. 0. Dean) reading tho following telegrams, ono of which was transmitted by the Mayor to the Waikalo governing bodies, and contained tho subjects ho had drawu up to bo discussed'at the Conference :—

."That Government is willing to introduoo a bill next sossion to onablo a company to construct a railway betweon tho Thames and Waikato, although unable at presont to indicato provisions of bill. Please be prepared tomorrow with suggestions for Minister's. First of all as to termini at Thames and Wa'kato; 2nd, as to extent and duration of Government guarantee; 3rd, as to rating native land; 4th, as to what distanco from tho railivay line should the rating cease; sth, should rating be uniform within rating district; 6th, what period should company retain possession ?"

"Hamilton, April 25th.—F. C.Dean, Town Clerk, Grahamstown.—Arranged to meet at Council Chambors, Hamilton, at 11 a.m. on Friday; for Cambridge, Newcastle, Hamilton Highway, Hamilton Borough, Waikato County, Waipa County, and Waitoa Boards or representatives ; Ngaruawahia Board meets at Ngaruawahia, and telegraphs to Hamilton,— I. R. Vialou, Mayor." '

Mr Menniemoved, "That the terminus at tho Thames be within the Borough." Mr Hogg seconded, and it was carried.

The following reply was receivod :— " Newcastle, April 26th.-James Kitgour, Mayor.—Terminus in Waikato should be at Hamilton Station Aucltland>Ohaupo railway.—Thomas Wilson, Chairman Newcastle D.B.'; Geo. Edgecumbe, Chairman Town of Ngaruawahia D.8."

"Hamilton, April. 26tli.—The Mayor of Thames, Grahamstown.—Terminus at Thames as near Grahamstown as consistent with economy; at Hamilton to connect with tho main trunk line, branch line to Cambridge' to be included in scheme. Counties to bo taxed in proportion .to the cost of railway actually passing through thorn.—l. R. Vmou, Mayor,"

The MAyon said, with reference to tho guarantee, that this question had received considerable attention at the Hamilton Conference. The Government guaranteed 20 per cent, which was not considered sufficient, as thero was a large of native land through which the railway would pass that, would not be rated. If the native lands were not taxed, the share of the burden would fall more heavily upon tho European population. Tho Government had been asked to altor the guarantee, and they replied that they could not do this, but would bring in a bill with certain conditions, which thoy hoped would be suitable. The meeting at Hamilton had considered that 5 per cent, was sufficient. He suggested that the Government should bo asked for a guarantee of 5 per cont. out of the 7 per cent.

Mr Eenshaw suggested that 4 per cent, should be asked, as if only 6 per cent, was required, only two would require to be made up by the district. After some discussion Mr Hume proposed, Mr Rensh.w seconded, and it was carried—" That the Government be asked for a guarantee of 5 per cent. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Eenshatv, seconded by Mr Mennie, " That the guarantee be for a period of 15 years." The following replies were received :— " Hamilton, April 26.—The Mayor and Borough Council, Grahamstown. Twentyone years' duration of guarantee. Seeing we are unable to tax Government or native lands, increase guarantee to 5 per cent.—l. E. Vialou, Mayor."

~ "Newcastle, April 26.— F. 0. Dean, Esq., Town Clerk, Grahamstown.—Agree to guarantee, as you recommend, and also rating native lands to be deferred.—T. Wilson, Chairman Newcastle D.8.; Geo. Edgeoumbe, Chairman Town of Nga..D.B." . Considerable disoussion ensued on the quostion of rating native lands. Mr Benshaw moved a resolution, " That native lands, being likely to be benefited by the proposed railway, should be taxed to some extent."

Mr Hume seconded.

Mr Hoau objected to this, as if the Maoris knew that they were to be taxed they would not give permission for a railway or a road to run through their lands. He did not think that Government would stultify themselves by undoing now what they had done last session!

• Mr Bagnail was also of opinion that the question of taxation should be left out, for all the good that would he able to be got out of them, would not be worth tho trouble taken. Tho natives were unmanageable enough when they were near Shortland, but they would be far worso when they got further away from it. It was only through the County authorities promising not to tax nativos that they wero ablo to carry roads through their lands, and ho was sure that if it was attempted to tax natives for the railway there would be a disturbance.

The Mayob said Mr Bagnall was diverging. When in Auckland a few weeks ago he was surprised to hoar from the Government that they were thinking of making the natives contributo, so as to lessen the burden on tho land belonging to Europeans, and it was in consequence of this indication that he had placed the subject of taxing native proporty upon the paper forwarded to the local governing bodies. Mr Ehbenfbied Said that they were going right into the native difficulty. He was certain no Government would conatruot n railway for the distriot when

iJiey wcro nwaro that by so doing they uonld creato a disturbance with the natives.

Mr Baiwau suggested tho following addition to tho motion i—" If this can bo dono by Government without interfering ,with the relations now existing hetween tho two races."

After further discussion, Mr Eowe moved, "That the question of taxing native lands be for the present left in abeyance."

Mr Bagnau seconded tho motion, which was agreed to, Mr ltenshaw having consented to withdraw his resolution.

The next subject-that of defining tho distance from the railway which would be liable to be rated—was then proceeded with.

Mr TChiienfbied thought the distanco should bo 16 miles.

Mr Hume proposed," That the rating cease after 10 miles on each side of tho line."

Mr Bagnau seconded tho motion,

Mr Rbnshaw believed that the following scale of rates would bo equitable:Land within ono mile of the lino should bo rated at a certain sura; land three miles from the railway half tho amount; and land from three to six miles away one-sixth of tho rate for land a mile from the lino.

Mr Bagnau suggested that the position of the stations should bo taken as n basis of taxation, for the inhabitants of the' district through which tlio line passed wore not so benefited by tho line being noar them as by their closo proximity to tho station. Mr Hogg moved, as an amendment, "That it bo seven miles."

Mr Davis (Parawai Board) seconded tho amendment.

The following [garo tho replies re> coived :—

" Newcastle, April 26th.—F. C. Dean, Town Clerk, Grahamstown.—Ten miles' limit agreed to.—Thos. Wilson, Chairman Newcastle D.8.; G. Epgecumbe, Chairman Town of Nga.D. 8."

" Hamilton, April 26th.—The Mayor and Borough Council, Graharastown.— Not more than ten miles on each side of the railway to be rated on a valuation basis, proximity to station to be con-sidcrod.-L R. Vuiou, Mayor."

"Hamilton, April 26th. — The Mayor Borough Council, Grahamstown.—lt is understood in what manner adjacent private lands will be, rated, but how do you propose to obtain a fair contribution from boroughs.—l. R. Vialou." The motion was carried by one.

Mr Eenshaw moved, Mr McGowan seconded, and it was carried," That there be a uniform rate on special valuation, according to benefit received, and proximity to station and line."

The reply received is as follows:— "Newcastle, April 26th.~F. 0. Dean, Esq., Town Clerk, Graharastown.—We see no great objection at. present to a uniform rate under conditions mentioned, but before giving a decided opinion would like to consult members of the Boards, which we have not been able to do, as questions were only received late last night.—T. Wilson, Chairman Newcastle D.8.: G. Edgecumbe, Chairman Town Nga. D.8." The last subject was then taken up, and Mr Renshaw proposed, " That the company have the right to the railway for 15 years, when the Government have tha right to purchase it: if they do not feel disposed to do so then the railway reverts to them at tho expiration of 50 years." The resolution was seconded by Mr Hume.

An amendment was moved by Mr Mennie, "That the company have the right of the line for 21 years." Mr Hogg seconded.

Upon being put to the meeting four voted for the amendment, and three for the motion. The amendment was therefore carried. '

The following is the reply received :— "Hamilton, April 26lli.—Mayor and Borough Council, Grahamstown. Company to retain possession for twenty-one years, at which time Government should have powor to purchase. Conference adjourned for an hour.—l. It. Vialou, Mayor." The Town Clerk was instructed to telegraph to ascertain whether the other bodies had any suggestions to make, to which the following reply was received: - " Newcastle, April 26th.-Jnmes Kilgour, Esq., Mayor, Grahamstown.—As this will be a private company's line, care should be taken to secure runuing power ovor the Government line. Great incon. vonieneo is felt hero in consequence of disagreements between the W.S.N. Co. and the Government. Goods cannot be booked through, as was formerly the case. The same might occur with a private railway line.—Thos. Wilson, Chairman N.D.JB."

The following telegram was also road from Mr Wilson :-

" Newcastle, April 26, 12.2 p.m.-]?.. 0. Dean, Town Clerk, Thames.—We have no further suggestions to make at present.- The time for company to retain possession had better wait for future consideration. We will not leave until you tell us you have adjourned.—Thos. Wilson, Chairman." The following message was ordered to be forwarded to the Mayor of Hamilton:— ... ,'■' " Thames^'26th April.—To his Worship the Mayor, Hamilton.-Government only granted entire use of wire for. two hours, which ended at 1.15 o'clook. At that time Conference here broke up. The Conference directed me to inform you, if you telegraphed, that they had no further suggestions, but if your members, at your adjourned meeting, would go fully into all matters not considered, and forward result you arrivo at in one long telegram this evoning, that it should bo sent to Ministers together with the results already arrived at by the various local bodies next morning.