RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 128, 16 September 1913, Page 2

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Fop The Franklin County. The meeting called, having for its object the formation of a Katepayers' Association which has, owing to unavoidable causes, been delayed on threa occasions, proved succes-i'ul o\ Saturday. A representative gathering met in the Koad Board's office ar.d started the first branch of the Association. Mr 11. E. R. L. Wily was elected chairman of tha meeting, he having been promot.r of the scheme in this county. In tha course ot his address Mr wily said the object 3 of the Association would be to look after the interests of ratepayers and keep an eye on the work of the local bodies. He belisved the local bodies would do better work if their actions were watched and criticised, and he believed even already there was rcom for complaint with tha County Council's operations. There were a few very important questions that an association could see to, one was the land valuation question, and he quoted several instances of glaring injustices. An association could take up these matters where individual farmers were almost afraid to go to the local courts. Another matter was the size of the county, with the number of small holdings, the close settlement, the fact of its being cut in half by a railway which divided thi interests, proved that it wa3 far too large and unweildy to ba handled by oi: body, and he considered the county as at preient constituted was twice Uo large. He thought tha present Council had been very precipitate in going to the expense thev bed ia buildings, etc., when a division of the crunty might completely alter the centres. Another matter that interested this end was the proposal to rate Waiuku and Mauku for the proposed Fapakura bridges. He did not think either ol these districts would use the bridges, and if the districts were cited and then was no one to object they would no doubt be rated. The Road Bosrds might have fought against it, but he did not believe the Council would move in the matter. He moved, That ati association be formed, to be called the West Franklin Ratepayers' Association. In seconding the motion Mr Shakespeare Ea ; d te quite endorsed all Mr Wily had said, and he had all along thought the present county to be far tun large and unweildy.

The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Wily suggested that provisional officers be elected in the meantime, and that an endeavour be made to lorm branches at other centres. He thought it wouli be a good plan to call another meeting about the end of March and have delegates from other districts, and so torm up the association thoroughly. The following officers were then elected:—Pres ; dent, Mr H. E. R. L. Wily; secretary, Mr Greenhead; committee. Messrs A. M. Barriball (Waiuku), T. D. Keid (Glenbrook). C. Kidd (Aka Aka), J. T. Jones (Waipipi), and R. Hull (Otaua).

It was resolved that the subscription be 2a M per year, and a large number of members were enrolled at the conclusion of the meeting.

The secretary was directed to have members cards printed and to write for full particulars of the Otahuhu Ratepayers' Association, which it was stated had been of great service to that district.