WEST TAUPO LANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13381, 8 January 1917, Page 4

WEST TAUPO LANDS

FORM OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

ROAD BOARD DISTRICTS

ARRANGING TDK BOUNDARIES

Very satisfactory progress towards the settlement of the West Taupo lands local government problem was made at a conference of delegates from the different districts interested, held al To Awamutu on Saturday. The object of the gathering was really to mutually define the boundaries of the live districts tl;;it had intimated their willingness to 1": constituted mad hoard areas, following on the energetic measures adopted by the Minister of Infernal Affairs linn. r,. \\\ Russell) towards a definite issue. To facilitate matters the Minister sent up Mr G. P. Newton, Assistant Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, who lucidly explained the position ;md .nave considerable information which assisted largely towards an agreement being reached. As a result the boundaries of three'districts were settled, an additional district defined, while the boundaries of the remaining two will be lixed next Saturday by mutual consent of the settlers interested after a consultation. The chair was occupied by Mr J. A. Young, M.P., whose efforts in the matter have done much to advance, the position. Mr Young briefly outlined the steps already taken to secure some form of local government for West Taupo, and pointed out that the conference that day was to define the boundaries of the proposed road board districts. He Hoped all would work together to secure [he benefits extended by the legislation of last session. Loans and Subsidies.

Mr Newton pointed out that at the last it was tentatively

agreed that there, should be live road districts, and he had brought with him plans showing the boundaries of these areas clearly marked, together with funus of petition for the creation of the road districts. The speaker gave a definition by.the Crown Law Office of the ten;! "occupier,"' as recently set out in the. letter of tin 1 Minister of Internal Affairs to Mr Young, and published in our issue uf Wednesday last.

The Minister of Public Works had, he said, decided to give the services of one of its engineers to advise the boards, and also after the districts had formulated ideas and drawn up proposals, one uf the Government engineers would be asked to report upon them. The .Minister had authorised him to state that he had made it possible for each of the five districts to raise £2OOO from the State Advances Department without delay, provided, of course, the sanction of the settlers concerned was obtained. The speaker mentioned this specially in view of the fact that the .Minister recognised that something should certainly, if possible, he done to the roads before the coming winter. Mr Newton added that subsidy lo the amount of 10s in the £ was payable on collected rates up to £250, ami 5s in the £ up to £SOO.

A total of not more than £SOO would he payable in subsidy by the Government over any road district, or a total of £-2500 over tile whole of the road districts in any county. This was an annual recurring subsidy, payable upon Ihe rales collected each year. In the present case the subsidy would be somewhat delayed, as no rates could be collected until next financial year. The majority of the people would probably be glad to take advantage of their power to borrow money. The rating powers of the boards would be those contained in the Road Boards Act, though for administrative purposes the boards would have powers under the. Counties Act. It was possible, in the district marked No. 1 on the plan (Roto-O-Rangi), where the capital value was £02,000, to raise. £4OO on a l\d rate. In district No. 2 (Tautari Parawera} the capital value was £340,000, on which £2OOO a year could be raised. In No. 3 (Kekepuku) the value was £73,000, capable of producing £SOO, while in No. 4 (Kawa-Wharepuhunga) the value was £470,000, and the rates possible £3OOO. In the No. 5 (MahiihlRangiatea) district the value was £109,000, with an earning power of £7OO in rates.

Mr Newton emphasised that while these five districts could each, at the present, borrow up to £2OOO, there must, of course, be a borrowing limit. If after the constitution of the districts it was thought that more money could <be got by the creation of further districts, he was not prepared to say it could. This borrowing power would be for the purpose of carrying out public works. Mr Tcasdale asked what was to become of the other portions of the district. Mr Newton said the Act was not in operation over the other portions. Basis of Rating. Mr Newton added that the valuation rolls would be ready within a fortnight after the constitution of the district. This work would be specially put in hand to help the road boards. With regard to the system of rating, the districts could rate themselves either on the capital or annual values. If, however, it was thought desirable to base it on the unimproved value, a poll would he necessary. A ratepayer in a road district could not vote unless his rates were paid. In connection with the pro-> posed exclusion of a certain area from West Taupo, and its inclusion in Waipa County, the petitioners endeavoured to show that, their interests lay in Waipa. This question would be dealt with when the petitions for the constitution of road boards were considered. Both parties would have :>n opportunity of making any objections if they desired. The form of petition which he (Mr Newton) had brought with him contained the names of all occupiers w\ho were entitled to si r n, no one person being cni led to sign more than once. The Minister had decided that the Waikato hospital roll was the one by which he woul-J determine whether the necessary two-thids of the settlors had actually signrd the petitions. Mr Newton said that the Minister had a very keen interest in seeing the settlement of .he government of the West Taupo lands, and everything would be done to expedite maiters : n conned, n therewith.

Replying to a qncst.on, ':<lr N-wton said there would be :.o subsidy on special 'oans.

?vfr Yo»'v> e v ;,lained that the -.nbsidy of which Mr Newton had first spoken, wrs on th" ; fount of rates raised. Tr special ca< •? ■ . I i- s for metalling new voalp. tlio "•"• ' *" - frequently locked favo":r.■!•): - ■ i ':i •me cases

granted a subsidy, The total Milvidy over the who.e of the road boards in anv county could not exceed £2UOO per annum no matter how many boards existed. Whore the Counties' A-i w;.* in operation, there would not >o u.y duplication ot the subsidy. Air .Newton said the number of mem. bers of each board could not be less tJ'an four, or more man nine. 'ihe Boards could themselves vary the number between the figures staled.

Air Taylor suggested that a general secretary might be appointed to undertake he clerical work, and the arranging of meetings tor tho whole five bodies. A Puahue Request.

-Mr Young said Mr W. G. Park had suggested a road district within the proposed Tautari road district, as the sett.crs of Puahue considered jheir interest, were from Tautari, and tiny desired that their land should bo constituted a special district.

-Mr Newton consiuered small districts, a mistake, as tho larger areas earned more rates, and were capable of cheaper administration. 'ihe only reason that would carry weight lor the exclusion of Puahue from Tautari, would, ho thought, be some special and natural configuration of the land. There was nothing to prevent the settlers of Puahue presenting a petition, but if a vahd pet.tion for tho constitution of tho larger district was also lodged and found in order, he thought the larger would include the smaller.

Mr Pratt (Wharepuhunga) (aid the proposed boundaries were r.it&atoiy to the settlers he represented. Mr Newton said the boundaries could be altered subsequently by making the necessary presentations. Mr Hockley askad if the Hoards had any borrowing powers under the State Advances Act.

Mr Newton said they had. There was no limit to the boards borrowing up to any amount on their (u»- g» crantee, outside the State Department. Mr Young said that immjl'aiely tue Boards were constituted the Government would lend each .r u.iy of tl.cm up to £2OOO.

Replying to a ouestion, Mr Newton declared that Maori lands were lateable equally with European ireas. Mr Hockley said the West T*upo ratepayers at present only paid a hospital rate. Would, ho asked, an occupier l.e ineligblc to sign the p< tit ion unless he had paid his hospital rate. Mr Newton did not think sv;h was the intention of the Act. Minister's Efforts Appreciated. Answering Mr Hockley further, Mr Newton said the objections to ihe inclusion of Roto-o-Rangi in Waipa must b«r submitted in writing. Regarding representation on boards, he thought the cutting up into ridings, or the actual methods, should be left to the Boards themselves. The provision for holding two elections would be easily overcome. Ir the case of a district failing to get tv t-..thirds of signatures, or taking no steps whatever, Mr Newton thought the Minister never contemplated this, as ho went away with the clear impression that each of the five districts named were anxious for self-government. Mr Young said the Minister of Public "oiks had practically taken up the position that where the settlers v/ould not help themselves, they would get no money whatever from the Government. The conference agreed to the boundaries of the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 districts, and also to the constitution of Puahue as a separate district. A further conference hetween the representatives of the No. 4 and 5 districts, those draining to Te Kawa and to mutually arrange boundaries, will be held next Saturday. Delegates were satisfied wtih the result of the conference, which c ucJuded with votes of thanks to Mr 3fr Young, and a special vote to Hon. G. V\. Russell for the manner in which he had (Xijedited the whole affair. Mr C. Alexander expressed the appreciation of the settlers of Hon. G. W. Russell's efforts. He said the Minister had taken the matter up, recognising the urgent need of local government, and he had shown himself thoroughly earnest *ji all his dealings.