Papakura Ratepayers' Association.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 301, 14 August 1917, Page 2

Papakura Ratepayers' Association.

[To the Editor] Sir,—Your report of the proceedings of the Town Board at its last meeting is neither edifying nor pleasing to read. The attitude taken up by the Board towards the Ratepayers' Association is to be much deplored. In a rising and progressive district like this, there is ample room for two such bodies to work toge f lier harmoniously for the benefit of the town. The primary object of the formation of the Association was to assist the Board in eveiy possible way and not to hamper or embarrass it. The various proposals of the Board have been freely discussed and criticis.d and while some hive been *c mdemnod others have been warmly approved of. Ratepayer and residents, who take an intelligent interest ia local affairs, have surely an undoubted right to do this either individually or collectively A short time ago the Chairman stated tliit he would not be dictated to by the Association. The various ouiiuuuications forwarded to the Board were meroly suggestions for con-'deiation and were agreed upon by those who are old residents of the district, with a practical and intimate knowledge of its neeis It would lio foolish to dictxte where there is no power to enforce. At the last meeting, one of the ranmhois, a r. c >nt a-rival in the district, appear* to have become highly indignant at the presumption of the Association in having the temerity to mike any suggestions fir the further impr )vi g of the t >wn and wratlifully proclaime 1 that the Association did not represent the ratepayers an 1 that the obj >i;tors were icilly wh he impertineudy termed '' ltj vtjThere is no need to comment on the ''good taste" sh w.i by the speaker. It is pleasing to fiad tin 1 ; there wore at leist two me übets uo «s \ssed of sufficient gentlemanly Curtesy to enter an objection to the expressions used. Let me a«surp this particular member that the Association doss not claim to be a repre->- native body, but only guvs expr< ssion to its own opinions, which every disin'erested memb >r of the Board would welcome courteously and take into his consideration, instead of hurling insulting epitlu ts at those " poor deluded pivip'<> "' who aro now regretfully lamen'ing Mieir d'dusi n—l am, etc , 1> W JONES

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