KEREPEEHI INTERESTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4607, 28 September 1923, Page 4

KEREPEEHI INTERESTS.

LOCAL SUPERVISION WANTED. AN ASSOCIATION FORMED. A large and representative meeting of settlers was held in the Kerepeehi Hall on Wednesday evening to discuss the formation of a Ratepayers’ Association and Progress League. In explaining the object of the meeting the convener, Mr L, A. W. Bagnalll, said that a competent body wag needed to look after the interests of the district. Reading matters required attention. The riding was almost the only one in the county that was not pushing to have the roads attended to. The County Council was putting a machinery loan proposal before the ratepayers, and unless something was done the riding would receive no benefit from this machinery. Other matters that required attention concerned drainage and the local domain, and the advancement of the natural position of the township tp become the distributing centre for goods arriving by boat (or train in the near future). Uniless something was done the railway station might be miles away. Some move should be made to do away with the present system of raising money for; the benefit of the community by subscription lists. Socials or concerts could be organised. A body such as was suggested should be formed to look after any matter requiring the attention of no erne in particular but everyone as a community. He mentioned that for the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Scheme it rvas intended that half the Kerepeehi riding was to be rated. It was, therefore, easy to see that there were many matters that required attention. It was for the meeting to decide whether such an association as he suggested should be formed. To test the feeling of the meeting Mr Booth moved that an association of ratepayers and citizens be formed. Mr Hutchinson seconded. Mrs Devereaux moved as an amendment that the whole of the suggestions as outlined in Mr Bagnall’s circular be discussed before the association be formed. Mr Devereaux seconded. The chairman ruled the amendment out of order, as the suggestions could be discussed later. The motion was carried unanimously. Nominations were then called for the office of president. Several men said that they would not take the office for £5OO a year. Mr E. S. Masters, in declining nomination, said that he had had previous experience in the formation of ratepayers’ associations and had found that when ratepayers and citizens had equal say confusion often arose. It would be advisable to keep them separate.

The chairman, Mr L. A. W. Bagnall, said that in Turua the Ratepayers’ Association had been enlarged to include non-ratepayers. Mr Booth said that the difficulty could be overcome by appointing committees to deal with matters concerning ratepayers and those concerning non-ratepayers,. After a great deal of discussion Mr E. S. Masters was unanimously elected president. In returning thanks he said that under the circumstances he would gladly resign at any time, should it be the wish of the members of the association. Mr L’. A. W. Bagnall was appointed secretary pro tem. Discussion then went back to the question of whether: the body should comprise ratepayers only or ratepayers and citizens. Finally Mr W. Booth moved that the objects of the association be to push along matters affecting the welfare of the district. Mr Jamieson seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Booth then suggested that a committee be appointed to draw up rules. He moved in that direction. The chairman suggested that members should first be enrolled. Mr Devereaux asked what attitude the association would take up in regard to the Public Hall Site Society. If the proposed association ran social fuhetions it would be antagonistic to the objects of that society. The chairman said that this was not intended. Both bodies could work together. Mr Devereaux moved, and Mrs Devereaux seconded, that the subscription be Is. Mr W„ Booth moved as an amendment that the subscription be 5s annually. This was seconded by Mr H. Ward and carried. The names of intending members were then taken, numbering 37. Mr W. Booth then moved, and Mr Mclntosh seconded, that all non-mem-bers be asked to withdraw from the meeting. Mr Devereaux I: Are you going to form a secret society ? The motion was carried. Mr Mclntosh then moved, and Mr H. D. Jamieson seconded, that all young men. who were not eligible to join on account of their age be permitted to remain as honorary members. without voting power.—CarriedThe following rules were then adopted:— That the name oj the association be the Ratepayers’! Association and Residents’ Progress League. That officers be elected annually. That the annual subscription be ss. That ladies be eligible for membership. That only ratepayers be eligible to vote on financial matters affecting ratepayers, That in matters affecting the Progressive League minors be eligible to discuss and vote. That an executive comprising three ratepayers and three non-ratepayers be elected to familiaries themselves with matters affecting the welfare of the district, to fix dates for general meetings, and to bring the matteis before such meetings. The committee elected comprised Messrs W. Thompson, G. Mclntosh, and J. M. Thompson (ratepayers), and Messrs N. A. McMillan, *W. Booth, and G. A. Avey (residents). The president and secretary to be; members exofficio.