RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 985, 3 September 1903, Page 2

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the above Association was held in the Borough Council Chambers last evening, there being present: The President (Mr F. Harris) and Messrs W. Birch, W. Webb, J. East, E. Smith. H. Miller, D, Morice (secretary), and Crs » Whiuray and Lysnar. EXECUTIVE.

The following were elected to act as the Executive : Messrs J. Colley, H. Miller, W. Webb, W. Birch. C. Nicholson, and E. Smith.

VOTE OF THANKS. On tho proposition of Mr Birch, Mr Whinray was accorded a vote of thanks for the use of his hall for meetings, for which ho declined to make any charge.

WATER SUPPLY, Mr Leslie Reynolds wroto re the water supply, staling that ho would be unable to visit Gisborne to report in time prior to the meeting of ratepayers, on account of having to go to Sydney.—Received. Mr J. East proposed that a cable be sent to Mr Reynolds, asking him to call at Gisborno on his way back from Sydney. The motion was seconded by Mr Miller - and carried. Tho Secretary asked about tho cost of X Mr Reynolds’ visit. Tho Chairman said that lie would not sign a cable unless the money was on the table. Mr Whiuray : Givo them a chequo Mr Lysnar.

Mr Lysnar : I heard that thcro were a few othors in tho room who were willing to do so. Mr Webb : I am willing to givo a chequo for tho amount, but things have taken another phase. I understood that it was to be before tbo 9th of tho month. Mr Smith : I am ono of tho subscribers to tho roport, and I will givo cash, but no cheque. Mr East : Mr Webb and I will bo willing to sparo an hour or two in the mornings to collect. Tho Chairman : What wo want is to indemnify tho Secretary. Mr Whinray : That is why I wanted Mr Lysnar to give a cheque. Mr Lysnar : 1 wish £25 would cover the amount I have paid in regard to water and drainage. Messrs Lysnar, Whinray, Webb, and East agreed to givo a guarantee for tho amount required, so as to idemnily the Secretary.

The Chairman questioned if it was encouraging for members to have to come to a meeting to give guarantees. Mr East considered that mombors of such au Association should be ready to make a sacrifice. HARBOR BILL. Mr Birch, in doaling with the Harbor Board Bill, considered that it was not in any way objectionable, with tbo exception of tbo borrowing of tho £20,000 by tho Borough Council for tho water supply, and moved that tho Association approve of the Bill with that oxeeptiou. Ml- Lysnar seconded tho resolution, and said that ho could not understand tho action of tho Harbor Board. If tho Bill was passed tbo Borough Council could demand tho money whether tho poll was carried or not.

Mr Birch said that Mr Lysnar’s idea coincided with Ilia own. Ho would liko members to give an expression of opinion on the matter.

Mr Whinray: I think wo all acquiesce in what has been said.

Tito Chairman : Do you moan to sny r Mr Lysnar, that the Borough Council can got £20,000 to go on with tho Waihirero water scheme ? Mr Lysnar: Yes. Tho Chairman: I have got a highor opinion of the Council than that. Mr Birch’s motion was then put to tho meeting and carriod. On the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Nicholson, it was decided to forward the foregoing resolution to tho Harbor Board, asking them to eliminate tho Waihirero water scheme. Mr East asked whether it’ would bo

advisable for tho members of tho Association to prospect tbo Waihirero hills as regards their porous nature. Mr Whinray considered -that tho Coun-

eil always met the people with a bald statement. It was necessary for the Association to investigate tbo mattor. Mr East moved that the Executive take

steps to investigate tbe proposed site of tho reservoir with a view of enlightening the people. Tbo Chairman seconded tho motion, which was carried. 11 Tho Association will only be too glad to educate the people as to the good points and deficiencies of Waihirere,” romarked the President. Mr Lysnar said he was glad to see the position taken up by tbe Association. It had been decided by the Borough that the opponents of the scheme could submit questions which would be referred to the Engineer. Instead of that tho Mayor had personally interviewed Mr Mestayer and not submitted the questions raised by the opponents of Waihirere.