RATEPAYERS' ASSN.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 152, 19 February 1932, Page 4

RATEPAYERS' ASSN.

ACTIVITIES IN BOROUGH MATTERS DURING YEAR REVIEWED SEVERAL PROTESTS RAISED There was a very meagre attendance at the annual meeting of the Rotorua Ratepayers' Association, held in the Peerless Hall last night, and the president, Mr. A. H. Foggin, expressed regret at the laek of interest shown. The annual report referred to the fact that among other activities, the association. had asked Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., to contest the Mayoralty, and a requisition containing 437 signatures aslcing him to consent to nomination was presented. A platforrrt. for the municipal elections was drawn up, and Messrs. E. Rratt, H. L. Musgrave, H. Tai Mitehell, J. M. O'Connell, A. Smith and N. M. Keane were seleeted to represent the association. A letter had been sent to the Auditor-General drawing attention to the fact that the Mayor's Earthqualce Ftxnd had been deposited in the Borough Council's account, and a reply had been received stating that exception had been taken to this action. Lake Front Scheme Dealing with the lake front reclamation, the report stated that a protest was sent to the' Loeal Bills Committee of Parliament against the land at any time being used for leasing for private building purposes and the association succeeded in having clause 4 altered, so that no buildings for other than recreational purposes could be erected on the reclaimed land. A petition was also presented aslcing that the couneil.be pennanently restrained from using the /and for other than recreational purposes, but owing to constitutional difficulties this could not be done. The attention of the Tourist Department was also drawn to the high charges for electric light and power in Rotorua. The balance sheet showed a credit of £3 ls 5d. New Officers Elected The election of officers resulted as foilows: — President, Mi\ A. H. Foggin; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. O'Connell and John Fortune; treasurer, Mr. G. C. Naumann; committee, Messrs. R. Kirk, T. N. Sloane, J. C. Bates, F. H. Briggs, W. Dean and R. T. Smith General Business The chairman raised the question of the dust nuisance in the town, and specially mentioned the petition put in by Mr. Robert Kirk and others. The council had made a promise that no more pumice should he used, but it was still being done. He thought the association could well give its attention to the nuisance during the eoming year. Strong representations should be made to the council to have the nuisance abated. Mr. W. Dean coinplairied of the condition of the grass on the streets. There should be more systematic cutting and clearing, as the untidiness gave the town a bad appearance. The question will receive attention from the committee. Mr. T. Sloane ealled attention to the fact that the Borough Council had made no 10 per cent. cut. Had this been done it -would have been possible to employ two or three more men. Mr. Foggin pointed out that tepresentations on the subject had been inhdh, but nothing had been accomplished.