TURUA RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4634, 5 December 1923, Page 1

TURUA RATEPAYERS.

REGULAR MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Turua Ratepayers' Association and Citizen’s League was’ held in the Turua Buildings on'Monday evening. Mr PR. Henry presided, and there were present 18 members. SHIPPING. The ’ chairman reported that together with the others nominated he had interviewed the manager of the Northern ; Steamship Co., Ltd., with very satisfactory results. In fact, more was granted than was asked. A HAIRDRESSER. Mr Henry reported that owing to lack of time the deputation had little opcprtunity of securing the services of a hairdresser-for Turua, but Mr. R. W. Bagnall had agreed to take the matter up; A PUBLIC POUND. Mr W. Madgwick reported that he had .brought up the matter of the estaolishment of a pound at Turua at the council, meeting. It was thought that .prosecutions would be sufficient, but the council had agreed to go ahead with the proposal. MAIL SERVICE. The secretary pf the Thames Chamber of Commerce wrote as follows: — «Mr : White has' been - carrying a Plains mail free of coSt to the department, and has notified the chamber that the mail service will be discontinued unless arrangements are made for the conveyance of the mails between his garage and the Thames post office. The local postmaster was asked to arrange the service with his staff hut has stated his inability to do so. The member for the district, Mr T. W. Rhodes, has been in-fo’-med of the fact's, and has made representations thereon to the Post-mastei-General, and a reply is now awaited as to his decision. In view of the importance of this mail service to Turua and the Plains T am directed <to ask if you will- be good enough to urge on the PostmasterGeneral the desirability of authorising the trivial conveyance required 4n consideration of the importance of the service to your district.” Mr D. G. McMillan moved that the association act as suggested by the chamber of commerce. Seconded by Mr W. Madgwick and carried. . ■ DRAINAGE. Along discussion took place on the advisability of installing big auxiliary flood-gates for use only in flood time. Mr-H.’ H. Hicks explained the use of these gates in the Fenn country in England, POWER CHARGES. Mr. Ft Beck brought up the matter of charges for electric pewer. He said he was sorry that Mr W. E. G. Willy, the district representative on the Thames Valley Power Board, was not present. Every user had received a letter as follows “Tn. accordance with a respiution of the Board it is resolved that on and after January 1, 1924, the charge for lighting on the flat rate will be increased. 50. per .cent. In the event of any consumer using an oven, motor for separating, or pumping they will be exempt from this increased charge. The exemption also applies to any person using a motor for milking purposes, or power users of any description. Tn order to be exempt from the 50 per cent; increase in charges it will be necessary for you t< be a user of power-in some manner other than under the charge of £3 per annum for heating point only, as now already being taken;” Mr Beck said he- would like some information on the subject, as ths/ charges at present were almost the highest in New Zealand and the proposed increase would undoubtedly make'them the highest. In his opinion this was hitting the small man and letting the big man go free. A non-consumer’s rate would be' more preferable. Mr A- P; Gardiner said that on the agreement, signed by every * user the charges were set out, and in his opin-, ion this was a binding clause. Mr Beck said 'that a letter had been read at a meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board stating that poles had been erected at. 4s each. Locally a gang of six men erected only eight poles a day. The letter had been* ridiculed, and the engineers had said •that this was impossible. Considerable discussion ensued, during which it was agreed that the charges for lighting were not high compared, for instance, with those of the Thames borough. Exception was not taken so much to the increase as to the tone of the letter. It was decided that Mr A. P., Gardiner wait upon Mr W. E, G. Willy in the morning and ask him to get! al! the information-possible on the subject, with a view to explaining the position to a meeting of the association to be arranged later to discuss the matter. PARLIAMENTARY TOUR. Mr P. R; Henry said that some time ago it was suggested that a tour cf members of Parliament should be arranged. He asked if it would be advisable to communicate with the various chambers of commerce and kindred bodies in the Thames Valley with a view to having this tour. Mr D. G.- McMillan moved that the secretary write to Mr T. W. Rhodes, MP., and ask if the proposed Parliamentary tour had been dropped for the present or only deferred. Seconded by Mr W. Baker and carried.