RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 969, 15 August 1903, Page 2

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Association was held last night, there being present: Messrs F. Harris (President) , Birch, J. Whinray, J. East, J. Colley, and H. Miller. ’

WATER SUPPLY. A 1 reply ‘was received from Mr Leslie H.’ Reynolds, C.E., in regard; to a report on Waimata, stating ■“ It is difficult to estimate the i investigation which might be involved in reporting, but I am prepared to limit tho charge to the above figure (twenty-five guineas), upon the following : I am leaving here for Sydney this day week (15th inst.), returning, say, in five or six weeks’ time. Should your Association desire to obtain an outline report as per your letter, and advise me care ot Bank of New Zealand, Sydney, Within say; four weeks from this date, ,1 would return via Gisborne, and charge while in, Gisborne £2 2s per day, and expenses in Gisborne ; ;so that it the work took one i week, the charge would be accordingly. TTie amount in any case to be limited to not more than 25 guineas.” Mr East said there had been no difficulty in raising the 25 guineas—.which was sufficient to show that tho ratepayers desired the scheme to bo investigated. He had anticipated a iaiger meeting, with the hope of augmenting the fund, so that other schemes might be investigated. It would be well if Mr Reynolds wero •brought here before the meeting to consider the Borough loan proposals The Association was not biassed and could not support any one scheme. He with others had. wired to Gapt. .Tucker, in Wellington, to communicate with Mr Ilay, of Wellington, who had carried out several schemes He had expected a reply belore tho meeting. . ‘ The Chairman raised the point that the subscriptions were raised to obtain a report from Mr Reynolds, and the subscribers might not be in favor of Mr Hay. Mr Wliinray considered that every avenue should be investigated belo.ro the ratepayers would be committed. Wliat they wanted was a reliablo source o£ information. He thought they should wait until they heard irom Captain .Tucker, and he moved to that effect. Mr Miller seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Whinray considered that an executive should be elected. Mr Colley said he understood that a number o£ the guarantors were not members of the Association, and ho thought they should be elected. Mr Whinray said it showed faith in the Atsociation for outsiders to guarantee part of the money. The following executive were elected . Messrs Colley, Webb, Miller, Birch, Humphreys, Skeet, and Nickoison. Mr Birch said that the propostd water scheme only took in a portion of the Borough, and at tho same time those outside ol that ladius would ‘not have a vote. Ho thought that some unpleasant incidents would occur. He understood the people referred to would lie rated just the same as those receiving the benefit. ‘lf a portion of / the Borough were to be rated it would be an injustice. Mr Whinray said there would be a general rate over the whole borough which all would have to pay. The special rate would not be levied on those who‘were not supplied with Water. Everybody within the Borough would have a vote. Mr Birch said it was advisable the ratepayers should know what they were doing. Mr Whinray said the object of tho Council was to give the ratepayers as little information as possible. Mr East considered that Mr Birch was under a misapprehension. Mr Miller expressed the opinion that the rating .was very. fair throughout. HARBOR FUNDS.

Mr Birch’s motion in regard to the Harbor Board Bill was allowed to stand over.

THE RAILWAYMr Miller,- in dealing wRh the subject of a railway to the Motu, moved “ That this Association desires the Government to place on the Estimates a substantial sum—

not less than that of last year—for the speedy prosecution of the railway to the Motu, and that tne resolution be forwarded to the deputation now in Wellington.” The motion was seconded by, Mr Colley, and carried. HARBOR MATTERS.

The Chairman referred to the rying out of the harbor works and •appointment of Air McLeod. There was not so much rock being * taken out now as in the past. He urged ratepayers to watch the matter. I Air Colley You will see more rock coming out in the future. He. is going to plough it. The Chairman : The new. overseer does not call it rock. I Air Colley said that he did not hold with Air King’s theory, and he mentioned how rock was removed in other places. The Chairman said that if the Borough or Road Boards wasted a pound there was a “ howl,” but for every pound wasted by . the Borough £3O were wasted on the harbor works.