THE POINT.

Timaru Herald, Volume V, Issue 110, 16 June 1866, Page 5

THE POINT.

A meeting of Ratepayers, called together by advertisement, was held here on Monday, June 4, About 20 people were present. •J. D. Brifcton Esq., having been placed m the chair, said, that the object of the meeting was the consideration of the rate which they were now being called on to pay, and that hia duty was to invite the persons present to express their opinion on the subject. Mr. E. Gould, whilst acknowledging the impossibility of avoiding the payment of the rate, wished to protest against the gross injustice of the course taken by Government towards the southern district. He considered that they were being deliberately snubbed and cheated ; all the revenue of the district being taken for northern purposes ; the votes of the Council for special purposes being constantly set at defiance. He and others originally understood that when they bought land at so high a rate as £2 per acre, a portion of the purchase money was intended for the formation of roads ; and yet, now so bad a state of things had been reached, that the freeholders found themselves the last and worst considered class m the province, and the more they improved their land, that is, the harder they worked the higher they were to be taxed.

Mr. W. B. Howell agreed with Mr. Gould's views of the rate, but thought the raising of the rate had become necessary, as the Government had even refused funds for maintaining the principal road m repair. He always regretted that so small a number of ratepayers attended the usual meetings ; he thought the want of activity and interest evinced by many people brought its own punishment Mr. Acton explained the necessity which had been forceil npon the Road Board for raising a rate, and the advantages which were obtained by raising the full rate of one shilling m the pound. Mr. D. C. Kee said that some gentlemen seemed to forget that the paying of taxes was not the only advantage to be derived from the improvement of property. The Chairman suggested that it might be advisable to adjourn the discussion until after the new Government had been formed, and members for the Council had been elected.

On the motion of Mr. HoweU, it was decided " That this meetiug bt adjourned until this day two months hence."

A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.