A RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2467, 21 May 1915, Page 8

A RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION

ITS INTERESTS DISCUSSED. /An application was received at the meeting of the Onslow Borough Council last night from tho recently-formed Ehandallah Ratepayers' Association, asking for a refund>of- the hall feo for their meeting on May 11, and further asking'for the free tiSe of tho hall for a meeting on May 25,' after the National Reserve meeting. This caused some lively discussion, in the course of which it was alleged that .the new body was mainly composed of a section who favoured a water supply scheme, and they did not represcut the views. of the whole of the ratepayers.. In the discussion that ensued, Councillor Dale said that the association was only formed to represent tho views of a section of tlie ratepayers. Ho was opposed to any -refund, mora especially as the hall was a loss to the ratepayers. He moved that tho requost should be refused. Councillor Gardner said that he disapproved -of this course. The association was composed of members who had tho interest- of tho borough', from thoir point of view, at heart. Councillor Appleton said that recently there was an election, and that body was in a minority. The association was formed before the present council had been tried. If he was a councillor in that ward he would consider it an insult.

Qmmcillor Gardner: Question. "^TOnciiior'Smith said that tne association was open to all ratepayers. He was a member, and he thought it a good tiling to havo such a ratepayers' association. It was questionable, ho thought, to suggest that the association had been manoeuvred by a section of tho community witli a particular interest. Such was not tho case. Ho thought that til© request of tho association to hold a meeting after tho National Reserve should bo granted.

Councillor Budd thought that before they granted the request they should have some indication as to whether the bulk of the people in Khandallah wished to. make use of the hall or not.

Councillor Browne said that ho wel-comed-the formation of tho association, and ho deprecated tho suggestion that it was a sectional movement.

Councillor Bowden said that he did not propose to introduce wator-supply matters into tho question. He would like to havo some further information on the subject of the position of tho hall before lie would support tho proposal.

The Mayor thought that the association welcomed all ratepayers as members. Councillor Dale: If they called it right they would call it "water." The Mayor: I must ask you to withdraw tho imputation that "they are not honest. Councillor Dale: I will withdraw anything. But aro they there for any other reason than to push tho water agitators' claims? Councillor Smith : The- committee was appointed pro tern to draw up rules for the consideration of a future meeting. Councillor Dale's motion was lost, and Councillor, Smith mowd that tho refund be granted, and that the association be allowed tho free use of the hall on Slay 26. The- motion was carried.