MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 314, 15 January 1902, Page 2

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

CONSIDERATION OF LOAN PROPOSALS.

A MEKTiNii ut ratepayers in favor of the Borough loan proposals was held at the Council Chambers last even - '- ; for the purpose of electing a come eto forward the movement. His orship the Mayor presided, and U \\ re also present: .Misses F. Mar ay,or. A. F. Matthews, Rev. Willi- ,W. Morgan, Hennessy, Mason, , aes, Kennedy, McLean, I,arson, D-- . .uto -r, Harding. Symes, F. T. Morgan, Webb, Reynolds, Allen, H. Adair, Miller, Ratclifle, and Captain Gumming. The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, briefly explained the object of the meeting. Ho went into the report furnished by Mr Mestayer, and stated how it was intended to devote the money. Ilis Worship said that they had not fixed upon any definite work, as those were matters which could be afterwards carried out. In a scheme like the one they had in hand, they could not give particulars as to every yard of pipe until they were authorised to go on with the work. At the present time, the Council were feeling their way. It was, however, incumbent upon the Council to improve the sanitary condition of the town. It was for the ratepayers to find the means for the work, and the Council required authority before it could proceed with the work. His Worship expressed the opinion that the money could be obtained at four per cent., and l’kewise mentioned the great saving there would bo on the score of insur n nce. He urged those presont to do all t could to carry the proposals, so that health of the town might be imp;

M ‘lord said that ho was glad of the inviti- extended by the Mayor to say a few w- . With regard to the question of drainage he was somewhat biassed against it if it was intended to drain into the Waikanae and Taruheru. He pointed out that doubts had been expressed with regard to ihe Waihirerc water supply, and to settle the matter a large party of ratepayers should visit tho locality. Reverting to drainage, Mr Stafford said that ho considered it would be simply madness to drain tho filth of the town into the river. He was in favor of drainage mid water, but he wished to see a practical scheme of drainago. Mr F. Harris proposed that a committee should bo appointed to work with tho Council, and use thoir utmost endeavors to carry tho poll. Mr W- Miller did not see any reason why a committee should not be elected at once. Ho saw no difficulty in regard to the objection raised by Mr Stafford, as it was intended to adopt the Shone system of drainage, and all matter would be purified before it was discharged into the rivers. After further discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mr R. N. Jones, that all ratepayers present should bo members of the committee. Mr DeLautour said that tho difficulty that tho committee had to face was the appearance of apathy in the district. They would have to break that down, and they required some of their most energetic and experienced men at elections to act on the committee. There was a good deal of apathy with regard to the question among the ratepayers, although he did not kno.v whether it was due to the length of time that had elapsed since the reports had been published or that there was a slight feeling that the Council themselves were not in real earnest in the matter. This feeling of apathy had affected him to some extent, because he did not believe that as business men they could expect to raise the money at four per cent. He considered that it was almost hopeless to get the money at the rate suggested. Still, if the Council thought they could get the money at tho price he would do all he could to assist them. Another question that they had to face was as to whether it was intended to rate all the people in the Borough, whether they benefited from the water and drainage or not. The poll was the easiest one that tho Council ever had to tackle, as the majority of those who voted could carry it. They never had such a chance before, and advantage should be taken of it. The Mayor assured Mr DeLautour that the Council were thoroughly in earnest in regard to the poll. This could be seen from tho fact that six of them wore present that evening. Mr Miller: And I have an apology from Mr Bright, who wished mo to state that he would do all ho could. A voice: g'he other two Councillors are easily accounted for. (Laughter.) The Mayor said that the Council wanted tho support of the ratepayers, and for that reason a committee should be set up. Replying to Mr DeLautour, he said that the money could be obtained at four per cent. They were not always going to have a war in Africa, and when it was over money would bo easier. It would take some months to arrange preliminaries in connection with the proposals, and by that time they would be able to get the money at the rate mentioned. If tho Council failed to do so thoy could come back to the ratepayers.

Mr Jones also wished to assure Mr DeLautour of the sincerity of the C ouncil in regard to the proposals. They were anxious to obtain an efficient scheme at the least possible cost, and the proposals now before the ratepayers had been carefully gone into.

The Mayor said that it was proposed that the rate of one shilling and sixpence should extend to the whole borough, as all parts received benefit from water, drainage, and roads. Those who took the water would have to pay the service rate, whilst those who were within a certain radius and could and would not take the water would have to pay a reduced service rate. There was little doubt that who was within distance of the water would be sure to take it. In the case of small places, the charges would be very light. It was the larger places that would be more affected, but they would be recouped by the saving in insurance. Mr Matthews hoped that if the matter was brought into town by way of Whataupoko that they would make provision so that that suburb might obtain the water by paying for it in event of amalgamation not being brought about. Mr Sawyer asked if it was intended to carry the mains down the different streets. The Mayor said that the mains would be carried down nearly all the streets in the Borough. Discussion took place with regard to the advisability of promoting a fighting fund, and it was finally decided that the committee should be empowered to spend up to £25 in support of the loan proposals. It was stated that there were 740 ratepayers, and it would be necessary to have a number of electoral rolls ; a room would also be required. . The Mayor generously placed one of the rooms over Dalrymplc’s at the service of the committee, and it was decided that the committoe should meet there every night until the.day upon which the poll was taken. Arrangements were also made for the use of a number of carriages on the day of the poll.

Mr.J. M. Cumming was unanimously elected secretary, and a finance committee o' several ~f’- hnrs appointed,. A number of those present gave in their names as being willing to contribute towards the expenses which it would be necessary to incur in support of the loan proposals.