RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION FORMED

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1947, Page 3

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION FORMED

valuable discussion results About 40 ratepayers of the borough of Shannon met in Laurvig's Hall last Wednesday evening to discuss the possible formation of a ratepayers' association. Mr. r. Vinsen, who convened the meeting, outlined his reasons for doing so, and said that a ratepayers' association could be a great benefit to the town. He said the town needed more co-operatioh from the ratepayers, and by forming an association they could assist the council with its problems. Mr. J. Sinclair pointed out that some 20 years ago there had been an attempt to form a similar association. A committee had been set up, but there had never been another meeting. He hoped that there would be more interest taken this time. Mr. A. Richards was of the same opinion as Mr. Sinclair, when he stated that in the past all efforts to get the ratepayers organised had failed. However, he saw no reason why such an organisation could not function sucoessfully and be beneficial to the town. It was then agreed that an association should be formed, and the following were elected as officers: — Chairman: Mr. R. Vinsen; secretary: Mr. B. Clayton; committee: j Messrs. J. Raper, R. Hook, S. Pedersen, A. Richards, A. F. Birss, D. Fitzgerald and F. C. Peach. In reply to a question asked by Mr. Hook, Mr. Vinsen said that the committee would only be there to carry out the wishes of all members of the association, and general meetings would be called from time to time. Mr. R. Herbert suggested that general meetings could be held every three months, while the com-' mittee could meet. between these meetings. The problem of a suitable membership fee caused considerable "discussion. One .member suggested that a levy of 2s 6d be made for the first year to see how things went, while another said that as no funds would be required the association could adopt a "pay as you go" system. This did not meet with the approval of the majority, so it was agreed that a subscription of one shilling per member be levied. A rather lengthy discussion, in which many differences of opinion were expressed, resulted from the riecommendatiorL that -an. all jraigr payers' ticket b§ approved for the forthcoming municipal elections. After many had voiced their opinions, it was agreed that a further meeting be held when nominations had closed, and the association would then sum up 'those who had offered themselves for election. Many expressed the opinion that a non-ratepayer could be just as suitable as mayor or councillor as a ratepay£r would be. The next meeting was set down for the first Tuesday in November. Mr. F. C. Peach caused considerable comment when he suggested that the borough council should be dissolved and the town form a town board or make application to go back to the Horowhenua County Council. Mr. Peach stated that if the Mayor's honorarium had been spent on the streets during all the past years, the borough roads would be in a better condition than they were now. Mrs. Peach received backing from Mr. D. Fitzgerald, who said that a Government Commission was being set up to discuss such problems, and Shannon should make application to that commission to get into another local body. In priessing his statement, Mr. Fitzgerald said that one man with a shovel employed by the borough could not be expected to do the same work that heavy machinery could do. He also stated that the only way that Shannon could go ahead was by getting an industry in the town, and went on torelate how a committee had been

set up by a public meeting to make an endeavour to- "get an industry for this town. He, as a member of this committee, had spent considerable time while in. Christchurch gathering valuable ihfOrmation for his fe'llow committeemen, This information he had handed over to the secretary of the industries committee, but since, that time no further meetings liad been held. Mr. Fitzgerald concluded- by saying that if Shannon could no£ get an industry, it should apply to the Government Commission to. -get into another local body. Mr. J. ' Sinclair? stated that although others did not agree with him, he was of the same opinion as Mr. Fitzgerald. He quoted the present rating system of the borough, saying that a house just over the borough boundary was paying one third less rates than a neighbouring house inside. the borough. Mr. R. Herbert: stated that he had listened to all the previ.ous speakers regarding the town board, but apart from their. statement they gave no proof- why a town board would be * better for the town. Mr. Herbert said that it was general knowledge that the borough of Shannon did not have the money to do all the work that was required of it, and many could have brilliant ideas, but if • there was no money to carry out the ideas they could not be put ' into operatlon. Mr. Herbert was of the opinion that there was a. majority of properties in . the tqwii on ... which the rates were far too low, while on' others they were beyond comparison. Many new buildings were rated far too high. He suggested that the only sojution was a revaluation of the borough. Mr. Herbert was of •. the opinion that a ratepayers' association could be a great benefit to the town, and one of its functions could be to see that the council spent its money wisely. In backing Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. C. Tremewan said that an industry would not come to Shannon on its own. It was necessary to go out after it. He quotecf as .an example the woolpack factajjy at Foxton. . The next speaker was Mr. Peach, who condemhfed the borough rating system, • saying that. many were holding secti.%i§ just because the rates were so IdW; while others who had built houses were being forced to pay rates that in ' some cases amounted to £50 or £60 per year. In Mr.' Peach's 'opinion the borough council was not encouraging the building -Qfchew houses. He stated *thafrit •was'-'not too late to have this rectified: In clearing up . the matter of rates, Mr. R. R. Lirid said that the borough was rated on capital value, and on the Government valuation last time the borough was valued the amount had decreased by £23,000, so that the revenub from rates was at present . lower ihari in .1926.. Mr. Lind-qUOted the .amounlt received . by the eofihcil. as "rates ifi 1926 as being, £2478, the amount ' received was only £2374. He said that no cbuncil could hope to do ahy new work on that money with present costs of material and labour. Mr. Lind. agreed that the present rating system hindered building in the town, but the borough had already applied to the Government for a revaluation. This could not he carried out for some considerable time. Mr. Lind went on to outline the problems facing the borough at the present time, quoting the water supply as an example. In 1924, when the supply was laid down, all mains were one inch pipes, with the result that the pipes had now corroded. Many of these had been taken up and cleaned, but this was not a satisfactory w&y of solving the problem. It would be necessary to lay all new mains within a short time. For this work a loan would have to be raised, and. the Loans Board would not grant this unless all the mains were of four inch piping. This would cost a considerable amount of money.

Mr. H. Aitchison endorsed Mr. Lind's remarks with regard to the problems facing the council today. Xn reply to Mr. Sinclair's statement in. connection wiwi the rating on a house outside the borough, Mr. Aitchison said that Mr. Sinclair had overlooked the fact that the house was drawing water from the town supply, ahd for this they were paying £5 per year. This amount should be added if a fair comparijson was to be made. Mr. Tremewan said he was pleased to see a grader at work on the borough streets. In connection with the cuttirig of the grass in the plots on Plimmer Terrace, he was of the opinion that this work should be carried out by the Main Highways Board as it was t°heir property. Other matters which came forward for general discussion was a sewefage system, and Mr. Peach suggested that if a loan was raised to fit each house with a septic tank these, would soon pay for themselves, .as well as do away with the problems cohfronting the council inconnection with the present old fashioned system. It/is hoped that now the ratepayers have- united to form their association they will giet behind the council and give the support so necessary to bring the township of Shannon into line with other towns in the Horowhenua.