THE WELLINGTON RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4434, 5 June 1875, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION.

A general meeting of the ratepayers of the City of Wellington took place last evening, in the sideroom of the Odd Fellows' Hall. Mr. O'Shea, the chairman of the association, occupied the chair. The interim report of the committee was brought up, and, having been read to the general meeting, was confirmed by the same. In connection with the action taken by the committee, Mr. Burns explained that for the present use of the meeting he had borrowed copies of the Acts required, not liking to incur the expense of £1 in buying any, until sanctioned to do so by the general meeting. It was resolved, on the proposal of Mr. Waters, that the sum of £1 be so expended. The minutes of the last general meeting were thereupon read and confirned. The meeting proceeded to discuss the questions on the minute-book. Mr. Helier, in moving the resolution standing in his name, regarding the reduction of the water-rate, remarked that the present water rate of 7 per cent, was most exorbitant, and was of. opinion that ia justice to the ratepayers it should be reduced to 5 per cent. There was a vast amount of dissatisfaction throughout the town, more especially amongst the small shopkeepers, and those that only used the water for domestic purposes at the high rate which was charged in Wellington. To make it more clear to the meeting, he would mention that the water-rate in Melbourne, where the water had to be conveyed eighteen miles, was only Bd. in the £ • and in Dunedin it was about lOd. in the £, while in this city it was raised to 17d. in the £. In his opinion, if the question was properly ventilated among the members of the association, the Council could be bound to lower the rate to 5 per cent.—On the motion being seconded by Mr. Burns, Mr. TJrwin proposed the adjournment of the debate until the case pending between Mr. Jeffs and the City Council be decided in the Resident Magistrate's Court, as the decision of that ca3e would influence the action of this association.—Mr. Burns objected to the adjournment, as the decision, whatever it might be, could not alter the fact that the rate was far too high. He likewise wished to see it limited to 5 per cent. At present the rate for water was equal to the price of whisky.—Mr. Wills advocated the use of watsft.metres, and anticipated the use of them would lower the rate to about 2£ per cent. A considorablediscussion hereupon eDsued, talcing the form more of an animated conversation than a public meeting. Ultimately Mr. Helier withdrew his motion, in favor of Mr. Burns' proposition, that a committee, consisting of Messrs. Warburton, Waters, Jeffs, and the chairman, be appointed to consider the subject of water-rates and their unequal apportionment between the different classes of freeholders and taxpayers. Such committee to draw up a scale of proposed alterations in theWellington Waterworks Act, and to report to the general meeting in a fortnight. Mr. Jeffs case was next in the minute-book, and was considered. It appeared that many ratepayers were placed in a similar position, and declined to pay until the case of Mr. Jeffs was decided. It is a very important case, as the ratepayers who do not pay their rates by the 20th June will be disfranchised, and should the ease be again adjourned there will be no possibility of knowing whether the rate is a just one or not; while, at the same time, the names of the defaulting ratepayers will be struck off the burgess roll. The meeting took no action in the matter.—Mr. Buck stated that his complaint had been the means of effecting a marked improvement in the condition of Tory-street, and that he had received a promise from the Town Council that a drain should be constructed when sufficient funds were available—Mr. Toomath's motion (that a committee wait on Mr. Dransfield in re lowering the insurance rate) was next brought before the notice of the meeting.—Mr. Burns, a member of the proposed committee, informed the meeting that the committee waited on Mr. Dransfield, who did not seem inclined to go on with the matter, as there was not sufficient support from without. The committee had not as yet taken any definite steps in the matter.

The meeting having considered all the subjects on the minute-book, adjourned until the 18th June.