RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1074, 16 December 1903, Page 3

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

A mooting of tho Ratepayers’ Association was held in tho Borough ' Counci l Chambers last night at 7 o’clock. Present; Mr Harris (in the chain, Mossrs East. Somervell, Morico, Webb, Miller, Cloloy, and Bircb. Tho Secretary spoke of tho 27 aero reserve that tho ratepayers’ had thought of acquiring from Captain Tucker. They . would.huvo to pay £2OO an acre for it. Ho showed at what figures thoy would have to lease the sections to enable them

to put tho scheme into execution. Mr Harris wanted to know why they did not make use of their own Borough rosorvos. If'they leased tho frontage of their reserves they would still havo sufficient renm for recreation purposes. Mr Cofloy said that if they iuterforod with tho rates they would havo tho ratepayers against them. They would want to finance thoir reservo from tho rents, and then thoy would have tho people on thejr side. Mr Harris said what they wanted was occupation, with full compensation at valuation at tho end of tho term. This would oncourago tho peoplo to build. He thought that with a loan for water and drainugo before them, tho ratopayors would uot be too eager to embrace a loan for a rocreation resorvo. Mr Somervoll said that Captain Tuckor had offered tho borough tho old football ground at £ls a year for 21 years, but the negotiations fell through. Mr Colley moved that tho Council bo commended in tho steps they havo taken in utilising tho Borough reserves. Tho proposition was seconded by Mr Miller and carried. Mr Hurris moved that Messrs East, Colley, and Miller bo a committee to interview the Council upon tho advisability of acquiring a larger area for a recreation reserve. . Mr Wobb secoudcd tho motion, which was carried.