TURUA RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4726, 18 July 1924, Page 4

TURUA RATEPAYERS.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Turua Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ League was held on Monday evening last in the Turua Buildings, Mr P..R. Henry presiding over Messrs D, G. McMillan, W. Madgwick, R. H. Baker, H, C. Luke, A. P. Gardiner, J. Mules, A, C. Ansford, F. Truelove, Rev. D. C. Steward, and J. Newman, hon. secretary. The balance-sheet showed that there were eleven financial members, whose subscriptions totalled £2 15s. The only expenditure was £2 ss, for rent of the Turua Buildings for the purpose of holding meetings. The door receipts from the debate on the Kirikiri bridge question totalled £1 15s, and this, together with a donation of £1 Is, had been handed to the Town Board as a nucleus of a fund for beautifying the township. In moving the adoption of the bal-ance-sheet the chairman deplored the small attendance, which he attributed to the fact that the ratepayers thought their house was’in order,; Air D. G. McMillan, in seconding, said that when a man had a grievance he came to the association, but as soon as this was righted he dropped out. Only a few staunch members had carried on year after year. There was no doubt that the association had done a great amount of good,and it was very discouraging for members to see the small amount of interest taken. Mr Gardiner urged that some action should be taken to unite the various sections of ratepayers in the district It would be very gratifying to see more Piako Road settlers take an interest in the affairs of the district. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The chairman said he was surprised to see, by referring to the minute book, the number of matters the association. had dealt with. He thanked members for the support accorded him during his term as chairman. He then vacated the chair and the secretary called for nominations for the position. Mr D. G. McMillan moved, and Mr J. Mules seconded,- that Mr W. Madgwick be appointed. Mr Madgwick declined nomination as, being on the County Council, he did not feel justified in offering himself for the position. Several members urged him to reconsider his decision, but without avail. On Mr Madgwick’s motion, seconded by Mr R. Baker, Mr P. R. Henry was re-elected. Mr J. Newman was unanimously re-elected secretary. All present, with the exception of Mr A. P. Gardiner, were elected the executive. FLOODING OF PLAINS. Mr J. D. Crawford, Thames, wrote with reference to the reports appearing in the Auckland Press concerning the recent flooding of the Plains. These, he contended, were grossly ex- -

aggerated, and tended to create a false impression. He advocated that the Auckland “Herald” be asked to ! send a special reporter to ascertain the true position. Only a small portion of the Plains had been flooded. Mr Madgwick said that Mr Crawford iiad done much to remove the impression created. Members expressed the opinion that anv attempt at the present time to gloss ever the matter would be taken as soft soap, and it was decided to receive the letter and and write and thank~Mr Crawford. CANAL TO LINK RIVERS. Mr Madgwick asked members for an expression of their views on the County. Council deputation’s request that a canal be constructed from the Awaiti canal to the Willow drain. Mr McMillan said it was astonishing that the deputation had decided on this step without getting advice on tile matter or the opinion of the, settlers. He was surprised that the other members of the Council had not taken up the matter. The proposed canal would cut diagonally across the Hauraki Drainage Board’s outlets, and the Board ha,d not been consulted. Mr Luke said that the majority of the ratepayers would oppose the proposition, Mr McMillan stated that instead of pressing to have the Waihou River stop-banking completed the proposal was to dig a canal to bring the flood water from the Awaiti back to the Waihou. Mr Madgwick said that it would be advisable to induce the deputationists to change their views before they went to Wellington. “Wild cat” propositions would spoil the effect of the deputation. Mr R. Baker moved that a very strong protest be entered against, the proposed canal. Seconded by Mn Ansford. Speaking to his motion, Mr Baker said that the area he Represented on the Drainage Board would be vitally affected. The present drainage would be rendered useless. Mr McMillan said that the—thousands of pounds spent on drains in the Hauraki Drainage Board’s area would be wasted. It was decided that Mr Henry, on behalf of the association, and Mr D. G. McMillan, on behalf of the Drainage Board, wait upon the County Council at its special meeting on the following day. COUNTY BRIDGES. The Netherton Ratepayers’ Association wrote on June 10’ asking the association to use its best endeavours to opposa the policy of the County Council in regard to making bridges a charge on the whole county. Legal advice had been received to the effect that if a local member of Parliament actively opposed • a local Empowering Bill it had little chance of becoming law. “Twelve months too late,” said Mr Gardiner. Mr Luke said that he was in favour of all roads and bridges being county matters. Mr Ansford concurred. Mr Madgwick said that the only

logical argument was to make bridges a county matter. Netherton already had a bridge and did not wish tp pay for others. In his opinion the County Council had a wrong interpretation of what was a county matter. It thought that it should be a County Council matter, and not a matter for which there should be a poll of ratepayers. Mr Henry moved that the Netherton association be thanked for its letter and informed that the views of the Turua association were directly opposed, in that it was thought that bridges should be .a county matter.' Seconded by Mr Luke. Mr McMillan said that Netherton had grounds for their attitude as Paeroa was their town. Mr Henry agreed, but said that no loan had yet been raised that was fair to every ratepayer. The motion was carried. STRAYING STOCK. The matter of straying stock was again brought up by Mr F. Truelove, who said that horses had tramped away the footpaths as fast as they were made. Mr Luke said that the only solution was to get a public pound. He was honorary ranger, and found that it was practically impossible to ascertain the owners of the stock. Even responsible townspeople would npt state who the owners were. No action was taken.