UNITED BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18422, 1 July 1925, Page 4

UNITED BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting; of the United Burgesses' Association was held last night. Present: Messrs E. B. Dalley (in the- chair), H. W. Gourlay, J. S. Wilson, E. K. Todhunter, W. Pool, T» Young,.A. E. Loach, J. D. Sproson, G. T. Jonca, P. Hehnessy, G. Wear, A, H. M'ilner,. M. Clark, and T. S. Dacre. The annual report and balance-sheet shewed the, Association to be in a very satisfactory position. The past year had been a very active one so far as the Association was concerned, and the progress made had boon gratifying. There wcro thirteen Associations actively affiliated with the centra! b;dy and the work dono eince 1924 had been of a varied nature, covering, as it did, tramway and hoapHal matters, Port improvement schemes, river impro+cmeut, bridge improvement, the dust nuisance, •water supply, railwtfr signals, »,nd thei> heating of schools. Their financial position wa3 satisfactory, and there was a credit balance of £t 4s. The Asscciatic-n was urged to extend its influence by means of publicity during tho ensuing year. The chairman, in moving tho adoption of tho report, congratula'tcd the Association on its satisfactory position and expressed the hopo that it would eontiouo to carry on its good service for the community. The report rand balance-sheet ' were adopted. • Tbe following woro elected cffiec-b?arers for the. ensuing year:—President, Mr B. B. Dalle}'; vice-presideuts, Me-asrs J. S. Wilton, and G. Wear; secretary a nd_ treasurer, Mr H. W. Gourlay; honorary e«!icitcr, Mr T. S. Ducre; auditor, Mr 11. Clark.

Tramway Matters. Mr T. S. Dacix-, reporting on behalf of the sub-committee set up to enquire into j tramway matters, stated that the sub-cohi-mittcc had met the Tramway Beard's cfficials and had discussed tbe niattor of the Beard's finances, etc., with them. Ho stated that tho Bofird In J about feven different reserve funds and lie detailed the amounts set aside in thssa accounts.. He stated that the Tramway Beard had a. bisr sum put away in these various funds and was not using it at all. There wa3 about £500,000 available, and tho Board was forced to get the permission of the Government boforo it could use any of (his money. Tho 'Board wa3 forced to reserve. 1 per cent, of its funds each year for depreciation, but was spending money cut ot its revenue on renewals. In his opinion the depreciation and renewals funds were the same thing. In fact, it aeenied that tho Board had come to tho same conclusion itsslf and had amalgamated tho two funds The speaker said that it appeared tho Board paid teo much away into its reserve funds and was then putting the sums so usej. dewn as deficiencies. At the same time it raised the fares to meet such deficiencies. Taken as a whole, the Board could juggle jfs figures each year to make a dfificiency. The £500,000 put away in reserve funcb seemed sufficient for the purpose of docre-siationa. Mr G. Wear suggested. that the Association should ask twd members or tho Tramway Board to. be present nt the next meeting of the Association and explain matters ii connexion with tramway administration. The committee's report was adopted, Mr Dacre intimating that a fuller report would be brought down at a later date. General. Tho Aranui Burgesses' Association write asking tho United Association to deal with tho question of a conference. • between the local bodies concerned in the uso and upkeep of Page's road to consider the tdvieability of forming a road of permanent material. Consideration of tho letter was deferred until next meeting. It was decided to write to the Christchurch City Council drawing attention to the need for an up-to-dato ladies' rest room in the Citv. Tho Assbciation also decided to ask the City Council to p!aco a light at the corner of Kilmore street and Oxford terrace.