WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1244, 12 May 1914, Page 3

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

THE RATING AREA

REFERENDUM TO DECIDE QUESTION.

The notice of motion given by the Mayor at the last meeting of the Council, as follows : “That in order to test the feeling of the ratepayers on the question of rating the whole or part of the borough for the water and drainage schemes, that a preliminary poll be taken and the Council agree that the result of such poll shall decide the area to be taken,” was before the meeting for discussion last night. It was seconded by Cr Whibley. The Mayor said that this motion was held over from the previous meeting because all the Councillors were not present and he wanted a full vote on the matter. There was dissension among ratepayers on account of the Council having decided to cut a certain portion of the borough out of the area to be rated. The Mayor and Councillors were only the representatives of the ratepayers and public and they were not unanimous on the question, he being of opinion that the views of the majority of the Councillors did not represent the views of the ratepayers as a whole, and that to put the proposal without first ascertaining the opinions of the majority of the ratepayers, would have, a prejudicial effect on it being carried. In view of the expense that had already been gone to in the matter this should be avoided if possible. The referendum would settle the question and himself and the Councillors would have the satisfaction of knowing what the majority thought. He would be satisfied whichever way it went and it was undoubtedly the best method of settling the vexed question. Cr Coley said an attempt had been made to get a petition up, but apparently without success. He could not himself support the motion. He had voted for a restricted area and did not intend to alter bis opinion. Cr Whibley said he also had voted for the restricted area and had no intention of altering his opinion, but he believed in the referendum, as it was only method by which the opinion of the ratepayers could be obtained. When the poll was taken he would vote against the inclusion of the whole borough. The ratepayers inside the area who were agitating for the inclusion of the whole borough “wanted something for nothing”—they wanted water but wanted the other fellow to help pay for it. Cr Chrystall interjected : “That sums up the position nicely.” Cr Kempster said he had spoken to a number of ratepayers in the restricted area and they appeared to be divided on the question. He did not think the Council should act on hearsay. The people had not asked for a poll. When the last poll in connection with water and drainage was taken a restricted area was set out and no objection made. Cr Henderson favoured a poll as a good deal of dissatisfaction had been expressed by ratepayers. Cr Read explained that the reason for the petition being dropped was on account of an accident sustained by himself which prevented him going on with it. Had this not happened he believed he could have obtained the signatures of the majority of the ratepayers. Crs. Chrystall, Coley and Whibley interjected that they doubted it.

Cr Chrystall said he would take up the same attitude as Cr Whibley. He believed that both himself and the Councillor he had named had done as much as any disinterested person could do to have the area restricted, as they considered it would be an injustice to bring in the whole borough. He referred to the term “legalised robbery” brought into a previous debate, saying that he had asked the question, “Can we call it anything else but legalised robbery.” Asking a question and making an assertion were two different things. He was not afraid to trust the people and was democratic enough to support a vote being taken. Cr Speirs did not see why a vote should be taken. The people outside the reticulated area would not receive any benefit and consequently they should not be taxed. If they were to receive the benefits of water and drainage he would support their inclusion. Cr Freeman supported the motion. The ratepayers would have to pay for the scheme and should have some say in the matter.

The Mayor, in replying, said he wanted to make the position quite clear. While it might look as if he was anxious to tax some for the benefit of others he would point out that those outside the reticulated area would not be called upon to pay water and sanitation rates, but only the special rate, whilst those inside, in addition to the special rate would also have to pay water and sanitation charges. The people outside would certainly receive a benefit from the scheme, as the value of their properties would be increased, and it must not be forgotten that the health of the community would be benefited. He though the referendum was the fairest way of finding out the wishes of the majority of the ratepayers, He would not influence anyone one way or the other. The motion was carried, the voting being : For—The Mayor and Crs. Wbibley, Chrystall, Henderson, Freeman and Read ; against —Crs. Coley, Speirs and Dempster.