OTAKI'S REQUIREMENTS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 27 August 1920, Page 2

OTAKI'S REQUIREMENTS.

DISCUSSED BY THE NATIVES. A nuinoer of Xutives congivgatcd at the “Kaukuwn” yesterday afternoon to listen lo an address by Mr J. 1“.

Brandon on matters appertaining to the welfare of the town. Mr Tore Turn was elected chairman, while Mr A. J. Knocks acted as interpreter.

Air Brandon said it must be apparent to those who had followed the reports of the Town Board that a change in the constitution of our local affairs was absolutely necessary, while, un-

fortunately, a great deal of miseuncep

Lion appeared to exist as to the effect ot changing Jrom a town district- to a borough. Quite a number of people seemed to be under -the impression that :i borough was endowed with unlimited powers of rating; as a matter of fact a. town Hist riot had identically the same powers under this heading as a borough. The rating powers of either was limited to the follow mg:—General rate, lid in the 2 on the capital valui oi its equivalent on the unimproved value. Separate rates lor special works. :;d in the i. on the capital or its equivalent on the unimproved. These special i.iU - could only be imposed tor repavmeiu ot loans which have' been sanctioned by the ratepayers. Other rates which either a town district or borough could levy w ere: Water supply Id in the £’ on the capital value; lighting streets and public buildings, fid iu the £ on the annual value, the same for sauitatibn; library, Id in the £ on the annual value; hospital and charitable aid, a rate sufficient to produce the amount of the local body's contribution. Tito total amount, however, which a town district or borough could levy without the sanction of ralepayers was practically the general rate of ltd in the £on the capital value, or its equivalent on the unimproved value. This disposed of the suggestion that the change from .■ town district to a borough meant an increase of rales. The question naturally arose as to the benefits to be ob tained by a change. A town district could be likened to a person who, though no longer a child, was not considered of sufficiently mature judgment to be treated as a grown-up. and not much attention was paid to its opinion. The area of a town hoard was. limited to two square miles, while, the area for a borough was limited to nine square miles. Ihe purposed additional area for the borough was 2*192 acres, having a capital value of £IOS,KI*I, which would yield £(>80 2s on the present basis of rating. Otaki could never hope to be an industrial centre, but its lovely climate, and fertile, soil and proximity to the capita! must attract settlement, by those who desired a change from the hurry and bustle ot city life. it was for Otaki to oiler sufficient inducement by way of up-to-date systems of water, light, and drainage. All would benefit, by increased settiement of Otaki. In answer to questions. Mr Brandon said it. was not iiu<- that it ,-t borough was formed fowls could not be kept. 1 he elect ion tor the return oi commit- | sinners was shortly due, but present ! members weie prepared to give an I; undertaking to resign m case a i borough was formed, in this case an j. election tor councillors would take: ‘‘ place ill April. Personally, he had no , wish to continue in office. Referring to present members of the Board Mr Brandon said some had joined with tbe . Intention of forwarding Otaki. but found they were m a minority. It was pointed out by Air j'airoruka Rikihan.'i that the reason the Xutives could not, pay rates was because the i Board would not employ them, but ini' stead employed some who had no stake : in the town. Air Brandon, in rcpbtq ; stated only two permanent, men were 5 employed, but if eontr.-e f work was needed the Xatives had every right to tender. air 11. McMillan also addressed the Xatives on the advantages of a. borough, after which the mooting adjourned tiij Tuesday next tit 0.30, when 1 matters in connection with the proposed borough will be further discussed.