THE £12,000 LOAN. Meetings of Ratepayers WAIPAWA.

Waipawa Mail, Volume X, Issue 1017, 2 December 1886, Page 2

THE £12,000 LOAN. Meetings of Ratepayers WAIPAWA.

A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening, when about twenty ratepayers were present. Mr E. Bibby, member for Waipawa riding in the Waipawa County Council took the chair and read the advertisement calling die meeting as well as the announcement of the Council detailing the mauner in which it is proposed to expend the borrowed money. The chairman said that the object of tlic meeting was to discuss the question and consider the advisability of raising the loan. A more direct opportunity of deciding would be given to the ratepayers on Saturday week, 11th Dec., when a poll would be taken. Mr Harwood was not quite clear ns to what was the ostensible object of the meeting. Would the chairman read the Act.

The chairman did so. lie added that there never had been a better opportunity for cajrying out works of an extensive nature, and such works could not be done without borrowing. As far as the Waipawa riding was concerned, he believed tlic bridge would bo a boon to the town and would bo an encouragement to settlement. Perhaps the people might npt be fully alive to the advantage whieba bridge like the one proposoddbe woul to the district, lie believed that considerable population would soon find its way to the other side of the river. As for the Kuataniwlia and Makaretn districts, the bridge would be just as useful to them as well ; it would enablo them to make use of a shorter route and to avoid crossing a mile of shingle and river bed. The first line that had been suggested by Mr Harding had not been a popular ono because it was circuitous ; but the line now chosen was approved of bv all. In reply to Mr Harwood, the chairman said it was intended to strike a rate of £th of a penny in the £ and it was estimated that the income so raised would pay the interest and sinking fund on the loan. He believed the borrowed money, when expended, would place the county in such a state that very few new works would be required, and either the road boards or the County Council would be able to do all the maintenance, and only one rate would have to be struck and so the present complex system of Local Government be simplified. (Applause.) Mr Harwood thought that since the terms were luvorable, improving the means of communic tion would encourage population in the district and so there would be more bore to pay the taxes. Mr Phillips asked if there was no fear that there would be too many applications for money, in which case only a proportion would be granted. The chairman had been assured on good authority that that was very unlikely to be the case, for there were so many dilliculties in the way of some of the local bodies that the few who carried out tlic conditions properly would be likely to get all they asked for. Even if a portion only was granted this year, they could depend upon getting the remainder afterwards, and probably in quite enough time for what they wanted. Mr Holden asked several questions. He thought Messrs Harding and Bridge would benefit most by the bridge, and ought to contribute. I'lc also considered the distribution of the loau had been very unfairly managed. It should have been allocated according to the rateable value. Mr Chamier suggested that Mr Ilolden might indicate what ho considered was unfair in the allotment ot money ; what districts he considered had been badly treated, as the general opinion was that the distribution was satisfactory. Mr Ilolden said the Waipawa riding was badly treated. Mr Chamier pointed out that Waipawa riding was to have a third of the whole loan spent in it. Mr ilolden said that was on the bridge, aud only benefitted llio town. To this a number of voices replied that the Kuataniwlia settlers ar.d all those on the plains would benefit largely by the bridge, besides those who might settle across the river some future time. Mr Phillips thought Hampden had nothing to compluin of as it had a bridge all to itself. Mr English agreed. The ediairrnan thought the Council had done their best to divide the money fairly. Besides, if it were found afterwards that any district had been neglected, the Council would be in a good position to assist it, as there would be fewer demands on its resources. Mr Ilolden said that the property on the north yklq of tho 'jvej'ju Waipawa Riding had a rateable value of £215,000, aud it was only proposed to expend £4OO on on special works in it. He contended that the distribution of money should have been based upon the rateable value of the land. Mr Ilarwood then proposed— That this meeting Qf ratepayers endorses the action of the County Council iu decindiug to borrow the sum of £12,000 uuder the Loan to Local Bodies Act. Tho resolution was Seconded by Mr J. Britten. Mr McGreevy then asked a number of questions os to whether the 5 per cent interest included sinking fund, &c. To tlic latter the chairman replied in the affirmative, lie stated that there was no question about it, and that the Council only had to pay 5 per cent interest for about 2G years, and the loan was then repaid and interest on it would cease entirely.

The discussion became rather warm at this juncture, Mr McGreevy’s mode of argument being attacked by Messrs Guy and Chamier, and Mr Ilolden raising several more questions. Mr Hyde made sonic enquiries ua the method in which the

voting would take place. It was stated that the polls would be conducted in the usual manner, under tlie Local Bodies Kloctions Act. Tlie motion was then put and carried unanimously, and a vole of thanks to the chair brought the proceedings to a close. ONGA ONGA. A meeting was held at Onga Onga last night to consider the loan proposals of the Waipawa County Council. About twelve ratepayers were present, and Col. Herrick, one of tho Councillors for the Kn&taniwha Riding, occupied the chair. Tito chairman explained the object of tho meeting, reading the advertisements relating to it, and expressed the opinion that the proposed works, when executed would benefit the district very much. Ho also pointed out the very favorable terms on which the money is obtainable, viz., in consideration of a payment at tlie rate of 5 per cent per annum for about 2G years, after which all further payments would stop and the loan would be repaid. Tho following resolution was passed unanimously : That this meeting is in favor of the loan proposals brought forward by the Waipawa County Council. The meeting then concluded. WAIPUKURAU. A meeting of ratepayers (as per advertisement) was held in the Waipukurau Town Ilall yesterday evening, at 7 p.m. There was a fair attendance, and considerable interest was shewn iu the proceedings. Mr W. C. Smith, M.11.R., who presided, first read tiie advertisement calling tho meeting, and then fully explained the loon proposal of the Waipawa County Council ami tho great necessity that existed for the loan, so as to enable tho works mentioned in the proposals to be done. He pointed out strongly that although the Waipukurau District was fortunate enough to have good roads, lie hoped the ratepayers in it would support the loan so as to enable those in other portions of the County (more especially in the Bush) to have their roads also made good, as without good roads it was impossible for settlement to take place. He added that if some portions of the county wefe more especially benefited by tlie loan, tlie other portions were sure to bo benefited also, if not directly they would be indirectly.' Ho also fully explained the liberal terms on which the loan would be granted, viz., at 5 per cent, per annum which included sinking fund, and said that he was sure if the ratepayers missed this opportunity of raising a loan on such exceptionally good that they would be sorry afterwards. The chairman then replied to several questions satisfactorily that were asked by those present. Mr 11. Wildiug, then delivered a short speech, in which he stroDgly supported the loan proposals in there entirety, saying that he could not see what could possibly be said against them. He moved a resolution as follows : That this meeting expresses its approval of the loau proposal. This was seconded by Mr J. Palmer, who also spoke in favor of the loan, and upon being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. The presiding officer then gave notice of the poll for Saturday, December 11th. On tlie motion of Mr A. Jones a vote of thanks was given to the chairman, and the meeting then separated. NORSEWOOD. A well attended meeting of the rat** payers in the Norsewood Riding was held in the Sehoolhouse, Norsewood, last evening, to take into consideration the subject of borrowing by tlie Waipawa County of £12,000 for special purposes, under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886, and to give the requisite notice as to when a poll should be taken on the question. Mr Small, ono of the councillors for Norsewood Riding, occupied the chair, and read the notice convening the meeting, and also the resolution passed by the Waipawa County Council at the meeting held on the sth November, with reference to the loan. The chairman explained the provisions of the Act, and stated that the amount of money applied for on accouut of this Riding was as much as the district was fairly entitled to, and was a fair average sum, supposing each of the five Hillings was to get an equal share of the money proposed to be borrowed.

After several questions were put to tlic chairman aud answered satisfactorily, Mr Small said that lie considered it would be greatly to the interest of the ratepayers to take advantage of tlie opportunity which the raising of this loan gave them, both as regarded the opening up of new roads and the impetus it would necessarily give to fho sawmilling business in tho bush, through the extra amount of timber which would be required for the purpose of building bridges.

To teat tlic feeling of ratepayers present on the question, Mr Gribble proposed and Mr Wake seconded the following resolution, which was carried unanimously : That this meeting supports the Waipawa County Council in the action it has taken to borrow £12,000 for the purposes stated in the resolution already referred to.

Mr Small then gave notice that a poll would be taken ou Saturday, 11th December, at the Sehoolhouse, Norsewood, after which votes of thanks to tho chairman and to Mr Theodor Thorstenden, who interpreted for the benefit of Scandinavians, who imperfectly understood English, brought the meeting to a close. DANEVIRKE. The meeting of ratepayers wis held at Dancvirkc last evening, when the proceedings were very short. A unanimous resolution was carried, in favor of tho council's proposals to borrow the £12,000. WOODVILLE. [krom our own correspondent.] (BY TELEGRAPH) At a meeting held bore last night, Cr H ill presided, and explained the details of tlie proposed lean, so far as the Woodville Riding was cenccrned. The meeting expressed approval of the proposals, Cr Ilall announced that a poll of ratepayers would be taken December lltli. I am of opinion that the Woodville riding will give a block vote for the loan. ORMONDVILLE, Tiir meeting of ratepayers look placo in the court house last evening, when about 50 were present. Mr Win. Youngman presided, as one of the members of council for the district. Mr R. R. Groom proposed, and Mr Geo Hansen seconded, that this meeting approves of the loan being raised by the council. Mr W. Iloytliorno moved an amendment and Mr R. Russell seconded it to the effect that it is not desirable. The original motion was huwever carried by a large majority, only five voting for the niqend T