HUNTLY A BOROUGH

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 176, 15 October 1927, Page 11

HUNTLY A BOROUGH

PROPOSAL TO RATEPAYERS The Huntly Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Association last night received a letter from the clerk of the Town Board in regard to the alleged unprofitable running of the Town Hall. The letter stated: “In reply to the recommendation of your association to the Huntly Town Board, that it should furnish a statement of accounts in connection with the running of the Town Ha.l3, I am directed to inform you that the board has fully considered the matter and that it does not consider it advisable at the present time to produce such a statement. When the time is ripe far producing a statement to the ratepayers this will be done and you will be duly informed.” Speaking on the letter, Mr. E. George, who is also chairman of the Town Board, deprecated the action of people making wild statements in unseemly haste and stated that no offer of .£.16 per week had ever been brought before the board. Counselling the members of the association to have confidence in their board members and not to listen to idle street gossip but to patronise their hall, the speaker concluded with the remark, “It is not losing a mint of money by a long chalk.” In reply to a query Mr. George said it was not necessary for the town clerk to work at nights except, perhaps. at balance periods and that as the Huntly Brick and Tile Company would not agree to a rise in rent, it was removing its books, typewriter and typist from the Town Hall. After hearing the explanation the meeting decided that it approved of the town clerk’s letter and endorsed the action of the board, the chairman of the association remarking that the board was well advised in what it had done. _ A letter from Mr. C. P. Gavegan was discussed in reference to the erection of a modern hotel, aerated water factory, bowling and tennis greens, etc. The suggested capital of the company is put down at £60,000. Speakers voiced the opinion that the encouragement of visitors was essential and the project, if successful, would be in keeping with the first plank of the association’s platform, viz., progress of the town, and welfare of the citiziens. It was pointed out that the Power Board contemplated erecting a break-ing-down station at Huntly in the near future. , __ A.t the close of the meeting Mr. George sounded fellow members on the point of converting Huntly into a borough. This would mean that the status of the present body would be advanced, and with its population of 2,000 could boast of six councillors and a Mayor. However, as the hour was late, it. was agreed that the question stand over till next meeting.