THE Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1067, 29 March 1882, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1882.

Though no outward or visible sign has been publicly shown relative to the feeling as to the desirability or otherwise of Reefton being formed into a Municipality, there is no doubt whatever that a very large majority, of those who would be affected by its establishment are in the highest degree favourable to the idea. As a matter of course, there are some who wish things to remain as they are, and have every reasons to be contented, but these comprise a minority whose motives or reason it is not worth while inquiring too closely Into. It must be apparent to every one that as long as Reefton remains under County rule its interests will be subordinated to those of the County, its local wants will receive only secondary consideration, whilst its revenues will be chiefly expended in other places. As stated in a former issue, a very large proportion of the County revenue is derived from this town, and a very small proportion finds its way back again in the shape of public works of any kind. The simple fact that the whole of the rates paid to a Borough woftld be expended within its boundaries is about as strong an argument in favor of such an institution as well could be brought forward, whilst the bugbear of double official staffs really has nothing in it As previously pointed out, the officers of the proposed Borough would not have half enough to occupy them in municipal work, and might be allowed to follow any other occupation that they thought fit, the only stipulation necessary to make being that their private business should not interfere with or cause them to neglect in the least degree that of the Borough. The official positions under the Borough would be, so far from a disadvantage, an actual passport to confidence on the part of others to entrust their business to them, so the salaries necessary would amount in all to a most moderate sum. Several suggestions have been

made as to the area of the projected Borough, and it has been proposed to include Black's Point and Crushington within the boundaries. This would be quite possible, as the extent of Boroughs is thus defined in the first section of the 17th clause of the Act: — "That such district comprises one continuous area containing not more than nine square miles, and not having within it any two points more than six miles distant from each other." That the people of those localities would welcome the proposal for their own interests' sake there can be little doubt, for the expenditure on necessary works would be very largely increased, whilst neither there or elsewhere would local taxation be added one farthing to. Assuming that we are correct in the supposition that a large majority are in favor of the Borough, why not at once take steps to bring matters to an issue. The preparation of the petition would occupy an hour or two only, and if" a dozen persons favorable would form themselves into parties and devote one day to obtaining signatures, the entire district could be canvassed, and the whole affair so far completed. The 13th section of the Act states that the signatures to the petition are to be counted by votes, and runs as follows :

— ""Wherever in .this Act any petition is required to be signed by not lees tl an a certain number of burgesses, or lit t leas than a certain proportionate ptirt of all the burgesses, the number of votes to which each burgess is entitled may be set after his name in such petition, ,-nrl the number of signatures thereto shall h* deemed to k the t:i;:.l ir.iujber cf c-:ucli vctc^ or

tlie proportional part of all the votes on tlis burgess roll as the case may , bo." By the 39th section any rate- j payer, whose valuation is not less than > £50, is entitled to one vote ; over £50 . and under £100, two votes ; over £100 ' but under £150, three votes; over £150 and under £350, four votes; £350 and upwards, .five votes. By the 18th clause, the County roll, as it stands, would be the means of ascertaining the number of votes to which each ratepayer signing the petition is entitled, and the number is to be set opposite to each signature — consequently, the heaviest ratepayers have, very properly most .to say, and in dealing with any opposing petition the votes, and not the number of signatures, are regarded. Obtaining a Municipality means procuring those great essentials, an ample and speedy watei'-supply, efficient drainage, protection of the health of the residents within the Borough, expenditure of the Borough's money in the Borough itself, ggeatfffiAmnd more, substantial veriTment whenllcal exigencies atise; power to regulate Reefton affairs by Reefton people, and the release of the town from a rule that hitherto has been neither just or fair. Surely, then, the sooner it is obtained the better. There would, of course, have to be an equitable adjustment of all existing County liabilities, the Borough, if formed, taking its fair proportion. Even if the greatest promptitude be shown, it must be at least three months before the Borough could be in operation. The petition, when duly signed and forwarded to the Governor, must lie two months from date of receipt, in order to give any ratepayers opposing it an opportunity of sending a counter petition, and even after being proclaimed the Governor appoints a temporary Town Clerk, to make up the burgess roll prior to the election of the Council, and the permanent appointment of a Town Clerk by that body. This would probably occupy a month at least, that period or more would elapse before the Borough were in working oraer. In June next the publicans' licenses fall in, and in the proposed area, from this source only, between £800 and £900 will accrue. If the Borough were proclaimed, which it would be, after the expiration of the above-mentioned two months, in case of opposition being unsuccessful, even though the Council was not elected, this sum would be placed to its credit, and would be a very tidy little balance to commence the municipal career with. If a petition were forwarded say a week hence, which is mort than ample time, it would reach headquarters about the 6th April, and the proclamation might appear before the time of payment of licenses. It would be a rather narrow squeak, and hence the necessity for prompt action if this is to be secured. It is to be hoped that some of our energetic townsmen will take the matter up at once, and lose no further time in considering a subject on which all the principal people are agreed.