The Harbour Rating Bill.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6363, 8 November 1887, Page 2

The Harbour Rating Bill.

After the minutes of tho previous meeting were read at the Board's meeting yesterday (Monday), a long discusMon ensued as to the position of the Bill. Mr Borlate raised the question, asking which bill had been introduced, in answer to which the secretary replied that it was the old one He explained that tha press notices had been ra'her misleading, especially with regard to the exclusion of the strip between the Wangaehu and Turakin* River?. In taking up the old bill Mr Ballance, in accordance with Major Atkinson's motion, was allowed to take it np at the stage before that at whioh it was dropped tait session. The second reading bad to be gono through again, but time was laved by not having to go before tbe Looil Bills Committee again, The measure wan consequently taken up with thn whole of Rangitikei included The new bill had not been gone on with, in fact it hnd never been iutroducod. The question as to bow much of Rnngitikei, or whether any portion of it was to be include 1 !, had yet to be gone on with, Mr Willis remarked that a private lutter from Mr Ballancß reaohed him on his return from the North, in which Mr Ballance mentioned that Mr Hutchison had pledged himielf to oppose the inclusion of any portion Rangitikei. Mr Hutchison had come to him (Mr Willis) with the circular sent out by him to the Turakina elector?, and asked his opinion about it. He saw no objection to it at tho timo, h'viag quite forgotten thf strip between tho Wangaehu and Turakina Rivers.

Mr Davey was of opinion tbat Mr B>llance evidently intended to strike out Rangitikei. The seoreUry remarked that tbe position was that the Board had instructed the member in charge of the Bill to retain that portion of Rangitikei already mentioned ; bnt there was still time, if the Board thought necessary, to give full instructions on the point. Mr Borlane thought it wonld be better to leave tho matter to Mr Ballance's dieoretioD<

Mr Thatoher could not agree to that. Mr Poison said that in the facn of a dohberate opinion expressed by the Baard, the least any member could do was to pay »tt r ntion to it. He moved that the member's attention bo called to the resolution of Ootober 19lh re tha Rating Bill.

Mr Thatqher seconded. Mr Davey pointed out that suoh ro3olu« tion would " knock the Bill ou the head straightaway." Mr Borlnse thought this would be a very disoourteons w iyof addreasin!; the member, an opiuion In which Mr Pavey coincided. Mr Birlssa said Mr Ballanco knew what they wanted, and it was bcttirnol to hamper him with any hard and fast instructions. Let him do the beat h-J could.

Mr Poison remarked that tint meant that they did not mean whit thoy said in pacing the fiist rotolution. Mr Botlaio retorted thit if th 9 resolution was to bo kopt to it might h»vo the effoot of killinfj the Bill, which Mr Poison would he glad to sec. Mr Poison: "I certainly would be gad to see it."

An amendment was then moved by Mr Birlase, and seconded by Mr Handley, that tb« matter bo loft ontirely in tho hands of Mr Hallnnco.

On tho amendment being put ii w«s deolared carritd. the voting being :— Ayes —Messrs Hindley, Rorlia-, Liirrt, and Willis ; noes— Messrs Thatcher and Poison Mr Davey did not record his vote, »nd Mr Spurdle was not in at that junoture. Later on in the afternoon the secretary read a te'egram reoeised by him from Mr Ballance in reply to one seat that morning. Ib road a« follows: —

" Old Bill revived containing RanKikei. This part will have to be abandoned, iuoluding probably part between Waneaehu and lurakina, iv Cunmittee on Thursday. Standing order Counoil require same formalities as House."