RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 954, 29 July 1903, Page 1

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

A meeting of the above Association was held last evening in Whinray’s Hall. Present: Messrs F. Harris (President), Smith, W. Birch, Sweet, W. Webb, H. Miller, J. East, Raven, D. Morioe (secretary), and Crs -Johnston, Whinray, and Somervell.

. The objects and rules drawn up by the committee were adopted on the ' proposition of Mr H. Miller, seconded by Or Somervell. The Chairman pointed out that in Wellington householders were not admitted into the-Association, but. their.committee had decided, to admit them. Mr Smith asked if householders were debarred from voting on the ‘question of loans.

The Chairman pointed out : that 1 they could express- their views, but not vote on financial questions. Mr Biroh said that if, householders were allowed to vote the Borough Council would hot taka any notice of their work. Mr Sweet’suggested : that' they should, add another rule, namely, that members who joined the Association should not be allowed to vote at their first attendance, so as to protect the work done by the Association; persons might come along and’ pay their subscriptions and undo the work. Mr Smith proposed, and Mr Birch seconded, that Mr Sweet’s suggestion be adopted. Mr Birch said that a resolution had been passed that members, of the Borough Council should not be on She Executive.

The Secretary pointed out that Council members were not eligible for the Executive.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr R. Johnston proposed, and Mr Birch seconded, that Mr J. East be elected vicePresident.—Carried.

Mr Sweet proposed that the election of the Executive be left over to next meeting. —Seconded by Mr Smith and carried. Mr. Birch said that a resident suggested that they were too far in the end of this town and that an impression had got abroad that the Association was a clique, but he would like members to understand that there was no clique about the matter, but for the general good of the district. (Hear, hear.) He also saw Mr Townley about-the use of the Council Chambers which that gentleman said he would bring before the Council. He moved that the secretary write to the Council asking permission for the use of their chambers to hold meetings. Mr Milier seoonded the proposition. Mr Johnston said that the greater part of the ratepayers lived in the west end of the town, and thought it was a central place to hold their meetings. Mr Somervell cpnsidored the other end of the town too far away. By removing to the Chambers it woqld take the Weßt End rub off the matter, It was not a West End association, it was a ratepayers’. He would not move against the matter when it came before the Counoil, but he would raise his voice against the situation of the place. He would say that the town would be all up West End. before two years. Mr Smith considered that the Councillors were servants of the ratepayers, and that the Chambers belonged tq them, and thought the Association 'were entitled to use them. The Chairman Baid it' would save ex-pense-and tend to take the West End taint off. It was not too far for the people of the other end of the town to come when they wanted their rents. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried, Mr Biroh, in dealing with the Harbor Board Bill, said be wanted to know what the Borough Council were borrowing the money for. Mr Whinray : I think the Bill states conclusively what it is for. Mr Birch said if the Association thought the transaction beneficial they should support it, and if not raise.up their voices against it. Mr Somervell : Do you move that the Bill be read a first time. (Laughter.) Mr Whm ra y explained what he termed the present anomolons position of the Harbor Board, and considered that the Association should protest against the Government for not releasing the money. Mr Somervell urged that the money should be released. It was deoided that a special meeting should be held next Friday week to discuss the Bill.