STRONG PROTEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 223, 14 May 1932, Page 6

STRONG PROTEST

OFFER IN CONNECTION WITH BITUMENISING OF WIIAKAUE ST. COUNOIL DEALS DIRECT. An emphatic protest against being asked to contribute to the cost of bitumenising Whakaue St. was received from a resident of that area, Mr. Robert Kirk, at Thursday evening's meeting of the Rotorua Borough Council. In the course of his letter, Mr. Kirk stated that he had the authority of Mr. A. Liston Wilson to withdraw an oifer of a contribution of £30 recently made by Mr. Wilson, as the donor had "never intended his oifer to be used as a lever for inducing the council to make a request for a contribution to other ratepayers." When Mr. Wilson's offer was received, the council decided to approach other residents of the street in an endeavour to obtain sufficient contributions to subsidise half of the cost of the work. Not a Lever. "I move that the letter be received," said Cr. E. T. Johnson when the matter came up for discussion. Cr. O. H. Coleman: I think, in fairness to the council, that it should be pointed out that we did not use this offer as a lever to persuade others to contribute. "I think we should have the withdrawal of the oifer from Mr. Wilson himself and not from a third person," said Cr. Albert Smith. Cr. G. Urquhart said that he had no recollection that any authority had been given to write to all residents of the street asking for contributions. The Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, said that this authority had been given at the last meeting of the council. He agreed with Cr. Smith that they should not' accept a withdrawal from a third party. He had discussed the matter comparatively recently with Mr. Wilson, who had given no indication that he intended to withdraw his offer. "Until we hear from Mr. Wilson, Mr. Kirk does not enter into the matter," said Cr. Johnson. The works committee had suggested that if sufficient contributions could not be obtained to carry out the whole of the work, a portion of it should be done up to a cost of £60. Cr. A. Smith said he thought that Mr. Kirk's letter should be sent to Mr. Wilson, with a covering letter, asking whether it was correct. It was decided to reeeive Mr. Kirk's letter, and deal with Mr. Wilson direct.