“CONSENT NOT GIVEN”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 April 1927, Page 7

“CONSENT NOT GIVEN”

RATEPAYERS OBJECT NEW TAMAKI BRIDGE The decision to build a new bridge across the Tamaki River, without their consent, raised the indignation of ratepayers who gathered in the East Tamaki Hall last evening. The meeting also objected to the proposal to construct a new stock route. “Ratepayers in this district have formerly expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals, but so far no resolution has been passed,” said the chairman, Mr. K. Ross. It was not right that the ratepayers should be asked to pay for a bridge when they were not to be given an opportunity to express their opinion. It was now apparent that there was some law which allowed the council to put up the bridge without first obtaining the consent of the ratepayers. The stock route was made unnecessary by the Great South Road. The shoulders of this road could be banked if it were thought that cattle were destroying them. Mr. G. Kimpton said that only a few would benefit by the proposals. Mr. F. Marriner: The fly in the ointment is that the council proposes to raise the money without the consent of the ratepayers. A resolution was carried urging the Minister of Public Works, when setting up the proposed commission to allocate the cost of the bridge, to arrange for a poll of ratepayers to be taken. It was also decided to point out that the work was not one of great necessity. An association, to be known as the East Tamaki Ratepayers’ Association, was set up to protect the interests of the district. Mr. E. Blake was elected chairman and Mr. E. Jeffs, secretary and treasurer.