A WAIAPU WAIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2116, 26 June 1907, Page 1

A WAIAPU WAIL.

OBJECTION TO HARBOR RATES. A STRONG CASE. “Roma,” writing from AVaipiro Bay, says:— 1 notice in tho draft of the above Bill thatl.it is proposed to constitute a harbor district, which includes the district of AA'aiapu. lam not com versant with “The Gisborne Harbor Board Empowering Act-, 1884,” under which I presume the inhabitants, of AA'aiapu already pay rates, but I am vory doubtful if the. said Act or any other Act at present in force, gives the Harbor Board extended powers for rating the AA'aiapu district; and if this is so, on what authority is the proposed Enabling Bill drafted to include AA'aiapu district? I am sure the residents of this die-, trict are quite satisfied that the liabilities under the old Act should be. paid off as quickly as possible, but why they should allow themselves to be ratted under an entirely new Act for another £350,000 loan, besides taking their' share of responsibility for the old loan, is surely hard to explain. Tho Gisborne Harbor is of no benefit whatever to the residents of AA'aiapu and therefore it should not be expected that they will consent to be included in tho new Bill. The fact that it is proposed t’o rate them at one-lialf the rate of Gisborne and Cook County counts for nothing; and on, the face of it appears to be a “sop” to lessen any serious objection that may be entertained. Although the inhabitants of this District have been paying Harbor rates all these years, they have had in the past no representation whatever on the Harbor Board, nor is there any probability of their having any, should the Enabling Bill as at present drafted, be successful; and consequently, although receiving no benefits in respect of the proposed loan, they have no voice' directly or indirectly in the manner of expenditure or in the details of proposed works. In my humble opinion steps should be immediately taken to have the words “AA'aiapu District” eliminated from the Bill; or failing that to endeavour by all possible means to frustrate the Bill and for the following reasons

1. The proposed Outer Harbor will not benefit the AVaiapu District one iota ; 2. The moneys proposed to be borrowed necessitate an additional rate to tho ono already levied whilst affording no extra benefits; 3. That this district will be saddled with unjust liabilities; 4. That this district is not, and in all probability never will bo, represented on tho Harbor Board ; 5. That the proposed distribution of votes is not a fan- one for outlying districts; 6. That the proposed loan is likely in a few years to be merged in a furthed liability as is the case of the old one in the present instance; 7. That, if left to the vote, it is possible for the proposal to be earned Irrespective, of the result of voting in the AVaiapu County; And finally because the AA r aiapu district does not want it.