MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 55, 8 November 1907, Page 3

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

The meeting called to consider the advisabilit}' of raising a loan for the purpose of carryingout improvements in Te Kuiti township, was held in Hetet's Hall, on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance, and Cr Orrnsby was voted to the Chair. After explaining the object of the meeting, and pointing out the desirability of adopting a progressive policy, the Chairman invited any of those present to express an opinion and move a resolution. Mr Boddie moved a resolution to affirm the principle that the time had arrived for street improvements to be undertaken in Te Kuiti under the County Council. Speaking to the motion, the mover said he felt very strongly on the matter, and was convinced that none of those present wished to spend another winter with the roads in the state they were at present. We could only hope to get the necessary improvements affected by borrowing and the declaring of the township a special rating area, and raising a loan was the most expeditious and cheapest manner of undertaking the responsibility. The Chairman had told the meeting that the borrowing powers of the Council might be exhausted next year, and the sooner steps were taken the better. He felt sure that once the town was decently improved, the enhanced value of the property in every respect would vastly more than compensate for the extra rate. In order to progress we had to initiate, and this scheme was merely a beginning. Mr Lorigan seconded the. resolution, which was carried. Mr Mordaunt wished to know if a poll would be taken if the scheme was gone on with. It was explained that if the ratepayers in the area exceeded a hundred a poll would be necessary; if under a hundred, they could proceed by petition and special order. It was further stated that the services of an engineer would be necessary in connection with laying off and estimating the cost of the work. A Committee, consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Sims, Seymour, Blackman, Lorigan, Pepene and Steel was appointed to formulate a scheme, and report to a meeting of ratepayers.