DUNEDIN RATEPAYERS

Evening Star, Issue 19797, 22 February 1928, Page 10

DUNEDIN RATEPAYERS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE Tim monthly meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Association was held last evening. Mr A. E, Ansel I was in the chair. Others present were;—Messrs E. Sincock, P. L. Ritchie, W. Paterson, . Forrester, 11. Duncan, H. Begg, T. Stedman, J. T. Cooper, H. Halliday, J- Gruy. and C. 11. Wing (secretary). USELESS CEMENT AT WAIPORI. The Chairman brought up the question of a quantity of cement which was lying ot Waipori in a useless condition JJo stated that Mr Lewin, alter admitting in an interview since the last meeting that such si quantity existed, had said that at tho time the cement was sent out the corporation was just preparing to go on with tho new dam, but owing to tho delay in proceeding with its erection some of the material had had to be put aside in a galvanised iron shed, with tho result that a small quantity had deteriorated owing to tho damp. Mi Ansell said, also, that ho had suggested that the cement could be reconditioned, but Mr Lewin had replied that the cost of this process, including heavy cartage, would bo prohibitive.

Mr Sincock slated that he had heard unofficially that tho loss was not so great as had been thought at first. Ho thought it was under forty tons. Mr Ansell, after consulting a letter from Mr Lewin, said it was thirty-seven tons.

Mr Sincock: Wc cannot altogether condemn the department, because it had been pleaded they had had trouble with the foundation. _ The committee ought to bo charitable in these matters. SPEEDING-UP BUSINESS. .Mr Stedman submitted the suggestion of forming a number of sub-committees, which, by coping with some of tho association’s work bclorehaud, would save a good deal of time at the ordinary meetings. Should the committee approve of this plan he pub tho further suggestion _ that the following _ members bo chairmen of tho sub-committees: •—Mr A. E, Ansell (harbor and education matters, reserves, water, and traffic) ; Mr H. Halliday (works, drainage, electric power and lighting); Mr Sincock (rales, gas, tramways, and city finances); Mr P. L. Ritchie (suburban matters); Dr Newlands (Hospital and Charitable Aid Board matters). Mr Sincock thought it would be advisable lo sot up such sub-coramittccs, for there were dozens of matters which came up at the ordinary meetings which were not sufficiently wetl_ ventilated before they were made public. Thus wrong impressions went abroad. The Secretary stated that ratepayers were continually bringing matters before him. He suggested that these people could be interviewed by the chairman and himself, after which the matters could bo investigated and reported upon at tho monthly meeting. He did not consider sub-committee meetings necessary. Mr Ansell: We should set out two or three members to specialise in the various departments. The idea of members specialising in some particular matter is quite good. After discussion it was decided that a sub-committee, comprising the president and the four vice-presidents, bo appointed to consider the matter and report at the next meeting. CONDITION OF FERGUSON STREET. Mr Halliday brought up a matter concerning Ferguson street, Musselburgh. A letter to the committee had stated that it would cost about £2,000 to level a rocky bump on the roadliue. Tho lump was about 12ft high, and had a radius of about 110 ft. It was not a serious bump, and it was really the business of the St. Kilda Council. It seemed to him that tho council was trying to throw the responsibility on to the City Council. Mr Sincock stated that it looked like an attempt by somebody in that neighborhood to get tho association to unload its troubles on to the City Council. Mr Ansell to Mr Halliday: Would you agree to having this letter sent on to the St. Kilda Borough Council? Mr Halliday: I would go further than that. I would say that the lump was not detrimental to the street. It is not a serious matter. I would suggest that tho St. Kilda Counci I have the lump graded and the street put in order. It was resolved that the letter be torwarded to the St. Kilda Council. GENERAL. The Education Board wrote drawing attention to the fact of children playing on the roads. It said that another circular had been forwarded to bead masters and school comniittees regarding the advisability of instructing children as to the dangers of playing on the main roads.—Received. The Caversham Ratepayers’ Association wrote stating that two of its members had been elected to attend tlic meeting on March 30.—Received. It was decided that the City Council be communicated with in regard to the condition of Maitland street from High street to Carroll street, and of the Main South road near tho Southern Cemetery.