NETHERTON RATEPAYERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4769, 29 October 1924, Page 4

NETHERTON RATEPAYERS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the Netherton Ratepayers’ Association wins held on Saturday evening, the president, Mr T. Vowles, and the following being present: Messrs S. J. Laughlin, R. Roberts, H. Goble, B. Johnson, R. Wilson W. Richmond, J. B. Whisker, B. Gwilliam, E, Chester, H. Hare, and the secretary, Mr C. Stembridge. Tile chairman in his annua) report mentioned the good work that had been done during the past year and deplored the lack of interest shown by the majority of ratepayers in matters affecting their welfare. Only 18 ratepayers were membens of the association. Am effort should be made to get the Awaiti association to link up with the Netherton body. The balance-sheet showed a satisfactory balance on the working account, but about- £9 10s of that promised towards the expenses incurred in opposing the County Empowering Bill was still outstanding. COUNCIL’S BRIDGE POLICY. Mr S J. Laughlin reported at length on his visit to Wellington in connection with the association's opposition to the Council’s Empowering* Bill. This was discussed, and it was decided on the motion of Mr Laughlin, seconded by Mr T. Vowles, that the secretary write to the county clerk asking if the association was to understand from his statements before the Local Bills Committee that the bridge policy had been an election issue, and that his inference was to the effect that the Netherton riding member, being the only objector in the council to the bridge policy, was almost defeated by a candidate who favoured the policy. If this was so the association wished to record its protest. Mr F. T. V. Johnson, the candidate referred to, who was present, stated that he was not in favour of the policy, being of opinion tnat every account dealing with a riding’s affairs shou’o be kept separate from all other accounts. Mr Laughlin was accorded a vote of thanks for his efforts on behalf cf the association. It was decided that, telegrams be sent to the Prime Minister, the leaders of the Liberal and Labour parties, and to Mr Poland, asking that an endeavour be made to frustrate any attempt to get the Hauraki Pl'ains County Empowering Bill through Parliament. The Patetonga. Ratepayers’ Association and the Ngatea branch of the Farmers’ Union were to be asked to endorse the requests. The secretary was instructed to write to the county clerk asking why the rate for the Puke bridge was now double what it had been when there were only half the number of ratepayers in the area. COST OF ADMINISTRATION. The chairman reported that a deputation from Patetonga would wait on the -council at its next meeting and protest against the employment of the assistant, county engineer, as this was making the cost of administration heavy. It had been suggested that the Netherton association should send a deputation in support of the request. The matter was discussed, but nothing was decided uopn. ELECTION OF OFFICERS; The officers elected for the ensuing year were : President, Mr T. Vowles ; vice-presidents, Messrs E. Chester, J. Reid, and J. B. Whisker ; secretary, M” C. Stembridge ; executive, Messrs R. Roberts, J. Locke, H. Goble, S. T Laughlin, P. Harold, F. T. V. Johnson W. Richmond, and B. Gwilliam. Votes of thanks were accorded the past year’s officers and Messrs H. Hare, T. Halligan, W. D. Nicholas, Ltd., and the Netherton branch of the Farmers’ Union Trading Co. for donations received for prizes at the recent social..