OTAKI RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 2 July 1920, Page 3

OTAKI RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

PUBLIC MEETING. A general meeting of the above was held at the Town Board offices last Wednesday evening, when there were some eighteen persons present, the chair bing occupied by Hr J. S. Pole (vice-president). Flagstaff. The secretary (Mr C. H. Williams) reported that Mrs Huthwaitc had donated a flagstaff to the “Association, and he had written making suitabh acknowledgment of the gift. Permis sion had been obtained for the flag staff to remain in its present position until wanted by the Association. Not Asleep. Mr Williams stated that the Asso ciation had held committee meeling.regulariy, and intended holding quar ; terly general meetings, at which tin public would be invited to attend. Keferring to a letter to the editor, appearing in a recent issue of tin “Mail,” Mr Williams said that it “Progress” would sign his name, the speaker would reply to him. He could assure “Progress” that the Associa tion was not asleep, but very much alive. The iuain business of that night's meeting was to discuss tin financial position of. the Town Board and to consider the proposed forma lion of a borough. He did not wish to blame the members of the Board foi 3 the state of the Board’s finances, but. as they had seen by the statement re 8 ceutly published, these were in a very I bad way. It would be for the Association to help them to put things on : better footing. As to the borough. Otaki had been for many years a town district, and had made but little progress. Otaki compared unfavourably with neighbouring boroughs, such as Levin. Some thought the burden would be too heavy if we bad : borough, but; lie did not think so, and ' said that until such time as Otaki had water, drainage and lighting it would fl not attract visitors and permanent re- r sidents as it should. J iMr Williams said he was disappoint j ed atr the small attendance that niglil. j and thought prominent townsmen 1] should place the interests of the town i before other tilings. J

Or? the invitation of the Chairman, Mr .T. B. Brandon (chairman of tinTown Board) addressed t tic meeting. He said there was little need for him lo say much on the financial position of the Board, as this matter had been fully reported in the lo«nl paper. ; Briefly, the position was this, that the Board's income totalled about £I6OO, and the regular expenditure came to £I4OO, thus leaving only £2OO for town improvements, and out of ihis they had to make, certain contributions. Therefore it was impossible to adopt any progressive scheme under the present conditions. The present general rate (2Jd on unimproved value) could not be increased, therefore the only step open was the formation of a borough. He briefly mentioned the advantages that would accrue from making such a move. Mr Brandon stated that, in order to form a borough, it was necessary to present a petition, signed bv not less than one-fifth of the ratepayers of the proposed area, nfter which a commission would sit to determine the boundaries, and then a ballot would be taken, and Ihc question decided by a majority of those interested. The speaker outlined tinproposed boundaries of the borough area —following the AVaitohu stream from it’s mouth to its junction with the Ringawhati road, thence along the Ringawhnti road to the Ofaki river, and following the Otaki river to the sea. This was only the suggested area, and he emphasised the .fact, that the commission to be appointed by the Government could make any alterations they considered advisable. If the proposed borough, area w-cre adopted il would give an additional 2692 acres to the town area, with an added capital value of £loS,llfi. This would give an additional income, in general rates, of £715 12s 9d, as the present rate. Replying to Mr Irvine, Mr Brandon j said the matter of a new valuation rested with the Government. A new valuation was about due, :Ind would possibly be made very shortly, and this would undoubtedly send the valuation up much higher. Opposition to the Borough. Mr Brandon said he knew certain people wore opposing the borough selierne, they expressing the opinion that they would have nothing to gain and everything to lose by such a change. He quoted as an example the case of a gentleman who had recently suffered through n fire. Owing to the efforts of (lie town tire brigade property to the value cd' £2OO or £3OO had been saved to him. One never knew the day when he would derive benefit from the municipality. In water, lighting, etc., those in the outskirts of the town would also derive advantages. Mr Brandon said he thought it a pity that a petition opposing the borough was to be presented. It appeared to him that the objection was not to the formation of a borough, but only to certain lands being included in the borough area, and that was a matter for the commissioners. Mr Brandon referred to the many advantages that would accrue, to the town as the result of forming n borough, and said that though Otaki was a very healthy and had been most fortunate m escaping serious epidemics, drainage was urgently required, and the sooner we had modern' conveniences the better. ' Mr Albert-Smith stated that, in cir- . cqlating the petition jn favour of a borough, he had met with little opposition, and jnany °t those holding fairly large areas had signed the petition. Help Collect the Bates. Mr Cockrell thanked Mi Brandon for

his lucid explanation of the state of affairs. He moved, “That this meeting expresses its hearty approval of tlio action the Town Board is taking to collect unpaid rates, and that the Association pledges itself to assist all it can towards that end.'' Mr Cockrell said he thought it a crying shame that residents should neglect to pay their rates as they had. . The motion was seconded by Mr Albert Smith, supported by Mr Trank Penn, and carried unanimously.

Mr Brandon thanked the meeting on behalf of the Board, for the niotior and said he was determined that this matter would be attended to. He intended to move that a return be plaeed before the Town- Board at each meeting showing the amount, of rates collected during the previous month, and the amount outstanding. That would enable them to liav;e the exact position of affairs before them all the time. Kcplying to Mr Albert Smith, Mr Brandon said he understood that rates could not be collected from Buropcans after they had been owing two years, and four years in the case of Natives. Most of the rates owing to the Board were recoverable at law. Uncollected rates could bo set as a claim against the title of any land.

Proposed Borough Boundaries. Mr 'Williams asked whether it would not have been better to have made the eastern boundary of the borough area along the Awahohonu road, instead of the Itingawhati, and Mr Cockrell also thought this would have been a better boundary. Mr Brandon explained reasons for having the wider boundary. If they cut certain properties out of the , borough area, others would ask that I theirs be taken out also. Mr Penn expressed (lie opinion that the properties to the east of the Awahohonu road should not be in the borough area, but, as things had gone so far, it might be better to leave it for the commission to settle. J It was'generally agreed that it would iJ |„; better to leave the whole matter of | boundaries to the commission. 1 In reply to Mr AV. Thomson, Mr I Brandon said that the fact of making [ the Otaki river the boundary would » not make the borough responsible for the protection of the river banks. Mr C. H. Williams then proposed, “That this meeting heartily supports t lie Town Board in its efforts to form Otaki into a borough.” The motion was seconded by Mr *['ollll and carried unanimously. Mr Brandon thanked the meeting for ihc motion, and said the Board would bo glad to have the Association ’s support. Disfranchisement of Defaulters, Mr Cockrell suggested that the Town Board be urged to make representations to Ihe member for the district, requesting him to use his best .efforts to have the Act so amended that those who did not pay their rates should be disfranchised. The speaker said he failed to sec why those who refused to pay 1 heir rates should be enabled to vote, and the law "should be amended in that direction. Mr Penn pointed out that, under the present conditions, it might so happen that defaulting ratepayers might block any forward movement. Mr Brandon heartily agraed with the previous speakers, and promised to bring the matter before the next meeting of the Town Board. The Cuming Elections. Mr A\ T illiams pointed out that the municipal elections would bo held very shortly—in September next and thought the ratepayers should keep their eves open, with a view to secur--5,- candidates for the Board who had the interests of the town at heart, and would work to make the place pro2,ress. Dates of Meetings. Mr Cockrell moved, in accordance with notice given some time ago. that in future meetings of the Association * committee be held on the last Monday of the mouth, instead of the lirst Monday as in the past. The motion was seconded b> - Irvine and carried. Members Wanted. The secretary (Mr AA illiams) appealed for members to secure additional member*, pointing out that the iiuauces were almost depleted. Ihc fue evas only one shilling per annum, and every ratepayer should become « 1U Heartv votes of thanks to Mr Braudou (f«r bis presence and assistance a t the meeting) and to the Chairman closed a capital meeting.