NORTHLAND AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 834, 4 June 1910, Page 11

NORTHLAND AFFAIRS.

RATEPAYERS' ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the members of tho Northland Ratepayers' Association was held in the Primitive Methodist Schoolroom, Northland, last evening. Mr. J. Aston over an attendance of about 20 members. The Executive Committee, in its annual report, expressed satisfaction with the work of the year. The most controversial subject dealt with was the dispute with the Karori Borough on the question of "special rates." A notable event was the completion of the water supply, with the prospect of drainage works to follow. The committee reviewed tho history of the Karori

Borough—City Council '■negotiations with respect to the "special rate" dispute—the facts have already been made public in connection',, with the; proceedings of the commission appointed to investigate .the case. -Satisfaction was expressed that the Wellington. City Council had decided to carry the matter further. The association had been put to considerable expense in. connection with thedefendihg of cases in the courts in this matter, there was still a small credit balance. It had been contended by some that the association was somewhat hasty in seeking amalgamation "with the city, and that something more in tho nature of a bargain would have eventuated had negotiations beiMi delayed. On the other hand the majority of ratepayers were of opinion that if mistakes were made at all it was not in joining tho city then, but that they did not amalgamate sooner. In connection with the allocation of funds for public works it had been suggested that tho expenditure should be equivalent to the rates collected in the district. This, however, would prove unworkable, besides being wrong, in principle. Municipal matters should be administered with a due regard to the requirements of. the city as a whole, but from investigation and observation this did not seem to be the case. Suburban areas in general, and perhaps Northland in particular, did .not get. the attention they deserved. At election, time the war cry of "Greater Wellington" was writ large across the face of every candidate's . manifesto, and from this quarterothey were still looking to them to "n-.ake good." The statement of finances showed a credit balance of £2 2s. Bd.'- The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following were elected to act as honorary officers for the ensuing year :— President, Mr. Stubba (the out-going president, Mr. J. Aston, declined nomination); vice-president, Mr. George; treasurer, Mr. Anderson (re-elected); Executive Committee, Messrs. Aston, Laws, Shorney, Platt, and M'Namara; auditors, Messrs. Tighe and G. M'Namara. The election, of secretary was deferred till a future meeting.