Ratepayers Discuss Many Borough Matters

Chronicle (Levin), 20 February 1948, Page 3

Ratepayers Discuss Many Borough Matters

The quarterly meeting of the Shannon Ratepayers' Association was held in Laurvig's Hall on Tuesday night, Mr. R. Vinseii presiding over a small attendance of members. ■ ) ! ' i • ij®l ' The secretary, Mr. B. Clayton, advised that he wished to be relieved of his duties, if possible at the hext meeting, though he stressed -that he wished to still remain a member of the association. Mr. R. S. Downes asked if it could not bev possible to end the finaricial year of the association on March 31 and the next meeting be the first annual meeting. All present were in agreement to this and a motion moved accordingly was carried. The president pointed out that in his opinion, the membership subScription of one shilling per annum did not give the association suffipient finance to carry out the duties expected of it and suggested 'that a subscription of 5s per year be charged. This was agreed to. A letter was received from the Domain Improvement Committee inviting the association to appoint a representative on the committee. Mr. B. Clayton stated that he is the borough couneil's representative on the domain committee and outlined the position regarding the activities of the committee at the present time. Mr. Clayton stated that the committee has been responsible in bringing the playing area of the domain into a condition which has not been seen for a number of years. It was also pointed. out that the organisations using the domain had contributed £5 each towards the upkeep of the grounds and as this work was costing a considerable sum of mohey the committee were now faced with a shortage of fuiids. It has been decided to hold a street day and the committee will welcome any support that the ratepayers' association can give. It was resolved that the association do all in their power to assist the domain improvement committee in their future activities and when finance was forthcoming, they will make an effort to give financial aid to the committee, the latter matter being held over until a later meeting. . Mr. H. Aitchison spoke in very high terms as to the work being done by the committee both in bringing the domain playing fields into an excellent condition and also fostering the spirit of sportsmanship among the .youngsters of the , town. All were of the opinion that the committee were doing an excellent job for the betterment of Shannon, Mr. R. Vinsen was appointed as representative to the domain committee. Rest Room Discussion Mr. R. Vinsen asked if it would be possible for the association to assist the rest room committee in locating a suitable site for the erection of the rest room. He pointed out that the committee have been. faced with considerable difliculty in securing a section that would be suitable. The latest suggestion was for it to be erected at the rear of the municipal buildings, but this had been held over until a later meeting by the borough council. Mr. L. G. Sayer -stated that although the matter has been placed before the council, nothing has yet been settled. He was of the opinion that a suitable section should be obtained somewhere handy in the town yet off the main street. Mr. B. Clayton stated that he diifered to this opinion and thought that provided an attractive building, which he understood was the intentions of the committee, was erected, it ■ would be a pity to have it hi'dden away. Mr. H. Aitchison agreed -with this and said a resD-xoom was somewhere where the women of the town and visitors too, would spend an hour or so, and he felt that the outlook should be attractive and not looking into a back alley or , into the back doors of business ' houses. Mr. Sayer stated that when he moved that the council should approve of the site at the rear of the council chambers, he was under the misunderstanding that it was the. desire of the rest room committee to have the building situated there. However, vhe would like to see a -section attractively laid out with the building surrounded with lawn and perhaps a children's playing area. At this stage. Mr. Vinsen stated that, although the • ratepayers' -association had no vote on the matter, the discussion had only been brought up to test the feeling of ratepayers on the subject. It was pointed out that both the Highways Board and the Railways Department property was out of the question at the moment and it was hoped that a. suitable site couTd be found without having to delay the erection of the building any longer. ^ Following further discussion with. regards to the highway property, it was decided 4 that the association. write to the borough council asking them if it would be possible to meet the Highways Board and discuss the rest room site with them on the.spot. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair, following further routine business.