MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5395, 4 March 1929, Page 2

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

WAITAKARURU AND PIPIROA. AN ASSOCIATION FORMED. Forty-three settlers of the Pipiroa and Waitakajuru rulings were present in the Waitakaruru Hall on Thursday evening at a meeting called to discuss the formation o£ a ratepayers’ association. The c,ounty chairman, Mr ®- L. Walton, and Crs. C. W. Parfitt and C. W. Harris were present by invitation. Mr J. Motion was elected 1 to preside. On taking the chair Mr Motion stated that a ratepayers’ association for the Pipiroa and Waitakaruru ridi ings was very desirable. Mr P. R* Henry, of Turua, had had experience of the .working of such bodies and would give an explanation. Mr Henry traced the history of thd Turua Ratepayers’ Association, and mentioned that the ratepayers by organising had secured a resident doctor for the Plains, a solicitor for Turua, and also a hairdresser, although he did not stay. The association had persuaded the Thames Harbour Board to build a new wharf, and then had a wharfinger appointed. The associatiOn kept a watch on the doings of local bodies, and by deputations approaching them in a courteous manner much had been accomplished. It had started the movement which re-> suited in the erection of the Turua Buildings, which containeid 1 mucjineeded offices, and also the Turua Town Hall. The association now met only when the need arose. The last occasion was when the settlers desired information on the Rural Credits scheme, and the association had persuaded Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P-> to address a meeting, The speaker then explained the organisation of a ratepayers’ association, and expressed the cfpinion t.hat meetinge should be held' when the need arose.

In reply to Mr J. Neate Mr Henry said that the men who cptaprised the association fathered, the bitumen reading scheme; Mr C- Adams moved, and Mr A. Henderson seconded, that a ratepayers’ association tor the Waitakaruru and Pipiroa ridings be formed. On Mr Neate’s suggestion the county chairman and Crs. Parfitt and Harris were asked to address the meet-: ing.

Mr Walton, explained that thej ratepayers’ associations of Turua, Netherton, Patetonga, and Kerepeehi had, in tlie main, done good work, sometimes “hotheads” got into office and abused local bodies for their slowness in achieving, results. No good was done by holding a pistol to the heads of local body members, but by working together much good could be done. Local bodies were hedged in by laws and regulations and could not always move as quickly as they would like to do.

Cr. Parfitt expressed his pleasure at. the movement, and stressed the; point, that local bodies could do much more if they had the ratepayers solidly behind them. Most people were concerned with the high rates. When he came to the district he anticipated that the Hauraki Plains, being a new county, with everything to obtain at once, would become a very highly rated country. Cr. Harris also supported the suggestion, and urged that constructive criticism be offered. He wpftild be glad to have the ratepayers organised!. The motion to form gn association was carried-, and nominations for the presidency were called. < After several of .those present had declined nomination, on the motion of Messi’s J. Neate and W. E. Murphy Mr C. Adams was elected president. Mr S. Kendall .was elected secretary, andi the membership fee being flxedl at 5s per annum 25 ratepayers signed up. It was decided that an executive of twelve to be elected, comprising six from the Pipiroa riding and six from the Waitakaruru riding,, distributed in the proportion of two frcjm each of the; following localities : Pipiroa end, Hopai, Pipiroa-WaJtakaruru Road, Miranda, Waitakaruru township, and Mahgatarata-jMahutu Road district. The following were elected : Messrs-' W. E. Murphy, D. McAulay, J. Fctote, A. Wylie, A. Henderson, G. coxhead, J. Motion, H. Torr, J. Keith, J. Fagan, C. A. Hayward, and Donaldson, six to form a quorum. The election of a vice-president and a treasurer was lejft for the first executive meeting. The Bank of New Zealand was appointed bankers, and the president and treasurer were authorised to sign cheques. Mr H-qnry -offered to supply a copy of the Turua Ratepayers’ Association’s rules for examination .with a view to adoption. It was decided that the business of the association be done by the executive, and that general bewailed by the; executive when the qc--casion warranted. ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS. Mr Neate pointed out that the election of county councillors, was approaching, and he would like the association to discuss what candidate* it would put forward-. Mr Adams said that the association, as far as he knew, was quite satis-, tied with its representation.

Mr Neate said he did not nicpn anything personal, but he was of the opinion that all candidates should address the ratepayers, and explain their platform. The association, could then give its support to particular candidates. He desired to know what line of action in the matter the association propoised' to adopt. The chairman suggested that if Mr Neate knew’ of. any prospective candidates he might name them, sa that the association c.ould consider asking them to address a meeting. He did not know of any candidates beyond the sitting inembqrs.

Mr Henry suggested taking advantage of the presence of the county chairman and' riding members to ob<f/

tain an outline of the operations of the council in the past.