BOROUGH MATTERS DISCUSSED

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1947, Page 3

BOROUGH MATTERS DISCUSSED

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS *Many matters pertaining to the borough of Shannon came up for discussion at a general meeting of the Shannon Ratepayers' Association, held in Laurvig's Hall on Tuesday evening. Mr. R. Vinsen (president) presided over some 24 members. The secretary (Mr. B. Clayton) advised that the membership enrolments had been good and to date 38 ratepayers were members of the association. With regard to the candidates offering themselves for the vacancies on the council, Mr. Vinsen said that the town was fortunate in having such a fine selection of men to choose from. Almost all the candidates had experience on local body affairs and whoever was elected there should be as good council. It was decided that the matter of selection be left enirely to the voters themselves. Mr. Vinsen pointed out that some concern was being felt among both the ratepayers and householders in connqction with the sanitary 'arrangements for the borough, and suggested that perhaps the association could look into the matter wih the idea of assisting the council to solve the problem. Mr. Vinsen said that the sanitary arrangements were a headache for the council too, aird asked if any mem- ' ber could offer any suggestions for the betterment of the system. It was pointed out that quite a number of householders had withdrawn from the council's system and installed septic tanks of their own. This left the borough with fewer contributors to stand a cost? which was raising each year. The sanitary rate was formerly £2 per year, but had now risen to £2 10s due to increased costs and fewer residents using the sanitary service. The matter of the using of the pan system in the new State houses was also discussed, and Mr. R. Hook a'dvised that he had gone into the matter and found that as the result of a number of tests in the area it had been found that it was definitely unsuitable for a septic tank system. The officers had gone to a depth of fifteen fe.et, but were still unable to obtain soakage, with the result that the pan system had to be adopted. Mr. D. Laurvig also quoted a similar experience when he attempted to sink a septic tank near the post office. He stated' that when he had struck metal he also struck water, and could not use the area for a septic tank. However, a few chains away he had i seen a very successful. septic tank j system installed. This was a yery | unfortunate problem which faced the borough. . j The system of chemical pans was i also discussed, but Mr. R. R. Lind j stated that the council had gone} into the matter with the Health) Department and they would not approve of it being adopted within the borough. It was ultimately agreed that as the present system seemed to be running smoothly at the moment, the matter should be | held over in the meantime. The borough rating system again came forward for considerable dis- [ cussion, when the chairman j infonned the meeting that two ' well-known authorities from Weliington were prepared to visit ( Shannon and discuss the unim- ' proved rating system with mem- j bers of the association. Mr. Vinsen and many other members were j ofthe opinion that the association ! should look into the matter. Mr. D. Fitzgerald stated that the! town would have to decide within a short time what system of rating it was intended to adopt, as the borough would be coming up for revaluation shortly, and if the revaluation was made on the capital value, and the council decided to adopt the unimproved system, then a further valuation would be necessary. Mr. Fitzgerald

then qupted examples of the unimproved- rating system, as adopted by neighbouring boroughs, aird stated that he was of the opinion that the system could be worked to advant&ge in Shannon- i.- , . . In reply to a question asked by Mrs. Leng-Ward, it was stated that the property and not the improvements, such as buildings, that was valued and such areas used as farmlands were given a rebate in their rates. Mr. H. Aitchison said that it would he only fair to hear both sides of the story. If these gentlemen were to be invited to point out the a'dvantages of the unimproved system of rating, then some other speaker should be asked to outline the capital value system. Members were in agreement with this suggestion. The next speaker on the subject was Mr. Lind, who stated that he wished to correct a statement made .by Mr. Fitzgerald with regard to the revaluation. Mr. Lind men'tioned that when a revaluation is made by the Government Valuation Department in their summary they quote both the valuation on a capital value and on the unimproved value, and also state the value of the improvements. If the unimproved system of rating was adopted there would. also require to be a capital valuation, as both the Palmerston North Hospital Board and the Manawatu Catchment Board rate was based on the capital value. Mr. R. Hook was of the opinion that future builders should be encouraged to adopt some kind of town planning. In the past buildings had been built all over the borough, whereas if they were commenced near the centre of*the town they could be better served by footpaths and other facilities. As the result of an .enquiry made by Mr. B. Clayton as to whether the valuation department could not be hurried along in making a revaluation, it was decided that a letter be sent to the incoming council offering to assist it in an endeavour to have the revaluation speeded up. Mr. H. Aitchison outlined the position regarding the condition of the local domain, and stated that the council had received a letter some weeks ago from the cricket club asking that the ground be put in playing order. As the result of this letter the council had met representatives. of the various sports organisations using the domain to discuss ways and means of c'arrying out improvements. A committee had been set up and already much improvement had been made at the domain. Mr. Aitchison said the committee was -very keen, • He felt sure that the ratepayers' association could help them in their effort. The chairman then called upon Mr. T. S. Downes, a member of the domain improvement committee, to outline its obj.ects. •• . Mr. Downes said he was not a ratepayer bii't was very pleased to have the opportunity of outlining the activities of the committee. He stated that its first aim was to purchase a motor mower. The present arrangements for having the domain cut were very primitive, and required about two days to do the job, about two thirds of the time being spent in making adjustments to the old horse-drawn mower. Mr. Downes outlined the plan of conducting a gala day each year to build up a reserve of funds, and said he felt sure that in a few years Shannon would have a domain equal to any In the district. The speaker was of the opinion that the 'committee would welcome a representative from the ratepayers' association. A resolution was passed that if the committee is agreeable, a representative of the association be appointed to the domain improvement committee. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair. Although this was only the second meeting of Shannon's newly-

formed ratepayers' association, it is felt throughout the town that this organisation will be a great asset to Shannon, •