TURUA RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4595, 31 August 1923, Page 4

TURUA RATEPAYERS.

ANNUAL ASSOCIATION MEETING. The annual meeting of the Turua Ratepayers’ Association was held in the Turua Buildings on Wednesday evening. Mr D. G. McMillan presided, and about 20 members were present. The balance-sheet for the year ending July 2, 1923, was read and adopted. It showed receipts to be £5 5s and expenditure £4' ls, ( leaving a credit balance of £1 4.5. ■ in outlining the operations of the association during; the past year the chairman suggested that the name be changed to the Turua Welfare League. This would permit people who were not ratepayers to becomemembers. The recent social function had resulted in a loss of £2 10s. A collection wap taken up in the room to wipe out the debt. A vote of thanks to the retiring executive was carried by acclamation, as also was one to Mr J. Newman for his services as secretary, CHANGE OF NAME. Mr P. R. Henry said that should the identity of the association be changed, and other than ratepayers admitted, care would have to be taken to see that they did not get the balance of power. He suggested that the name be Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Association. A ratepayers should be president. Messrs Luke and W. Madgwick favoured changing the identity of the association. Mr McMillan pointed out that the association only made recommendations to local bodies. A question, whether forwarded by a majority of ratepayers or of non-ratepayers, would be dealt with by local bodies on its merits. The association could not commit ratepayers to any expenditure. , ■ After a general discussion Mr Madgwick moved, and Mr H. O. Luke seconded, that the name of the association be changed to the Turua Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Association, and that the executive be nine members, comprising not more than three nonratepayers. The motion was carried unanimously. A discussion ensued as to whether the executive should be elected ait; themeeting or later, when non-ratepayers were present. In regard to members of local bodies holding office on the executive, M>- D. G. McMillan said he felt that he .should not hold office, though he would remain an active member. To this view Messrs W. Madgwick and JMules concurred. Mr G. Gray, of the Drainage Board, said that he did not see that it ( made any difference. Mr J. Bennett said that if all men who held a public office were barred < the association would not be able to carry on. Mr. Bennett moved that as the Turua Ratepayers’ Association had gone out of existence a further meeting at ■ which all ratepayers and non-ratepay-ers could be present be held,, and that the executive be elected at that meeting. Mr Williams supported, and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr P. R. Henry then took the chair, t,o hold office until the first meeting of the executive of the Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Association, and Mr JNewman was elected acting secretary. TURUA POST OFFICE. Mr W. Madgwick said that residents were put to great inconvenience owing to the local post office being closed on Saturday afternoons. He moved that the Postal Department, be asked through the proper channels to open the post office on Saturday afternoons.—Carried. On Mr Zeigler’s motion it was also decided to ask that the private box lobby be opened on Sunday mornings. ORONGO ROAD. Mr Gray' said that 12 or 18 months ago a petition had been presented t,o the County Council asking that a special be created to raise a loan of £iob& to pick up a Government grant of £Bsoi on the road from the Turua post office to Orongo. Six months ago he was notified by the council that a loan could nof be raised by a requisition, as the signatories had not paid their rates. The council suggested that a poll be taken. Mr Madgwick said that if a settler had not paid his rates he was not entitled to sign a petition. Mr Gray said that he had, it on gopd authority that a £ for £ subsidy would be available for the road. Mr Madgwick said that the thing to do was to approach the council. Ratepayers got nothing from the council unless they chased it. Mr Gray explained that the petition had been presented with the idea of saving tjme. Nothing had been done for twelve months. He thought that the council was not out to help settlers, or itself. The settlers were prepared to rate themselves to raise the Government grant..He asked that the association take up the matftei' and puhs it along. Cr. Madgwick had said at a council meeting that the first roading scheme proposed would be started first The Orongo proposal was seven years old, and had there not been a Government settlement to be served <t,he subsidy would have lapsed before now. The speaker then moved that a deputation from the association interview the county council and ask that the matter be pushed on with.—Carried. Messrs G. Gray, J. Mules, and D. G. McMillan were appointed the deputation. TURUA WHARF. Mr P. R. Henry said tjiat something should be done to protect the goods landed on the Turua wharf. He thought that if the proper authority was approached it might he possible to get the delivery and the obtaining of signatures for goods included m the duties of the wharfinger. Several members spoke of having lost, goods left in the shed. The doors were usually left open all night. Mr D. G. McMillon said that' if a wharfinger was appointed he would have to be paid, and the cost would fall on the .settlers. After a little discussion Mr Henry

moved, and Mr Truelove seconded, that the Harbour Board be written to asking that ,the shed be locked ait< 5 p.m. and opened at 8 a.m. —Carried.