RATEPAYERS’ “PICNIC”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 761, 6 September 1929, Page 11

RATEPAYERS’ “PICNIC”

DEVONPORT COUNCIL CRITICISED “None of these stupid by-laws about uogs, water-meters and fowls were enforced while l was on the council, asserted M 5 H- Lyon, a torn* r Borough. Councillor at Devon port, talking at a meeting of prop#rt\ - holders last evening, to di.-> u.-- matter* ot vital importance to_ property-noldors ! and the general administration ot the : Devonport Borough. Mr. D. W. I chair, and about 40 attended, to Irani j that for several weeks organising had been going on, and that two preluniuI ary meetings had been held ai sh<* chairman’s house. The increase ot th« I Mayoral honorarium from £10“ | £l5O, the engineer’s salary of £450. the | foreman of works and his wage, and the employment ol : ■ ‘assist ntf allegation that the borough general ; - count was more than £7,000 in deficit. ! the installation of water-meters, ih • | by-laws restricting the keeping -t ! poultry and the liberty of dogs we v I all fiercely criticised. An allegation by Mr. F. A Thompson that the wrong type of water-meter : was used and that a pattern that ran in o l was preferable, met* hearty applause. Claims that the levying of a connection with the water-meters w..-* illegal were made and threats to refuse payment of it. and to object to meters being installed on the ratepayers’ property were freely made. "They can t make us pay twice for meters,’* another bold claim, the speaker,back - - ing up the argument by pointing out ■ that in 1912 the borough purchased - water-meters at a cost of £l*2oo. and , that they had since been sold as scrap i for £IOO. The loan had not been pawl off yet and having paid rates for .i meter that had hot been supplied in 5 many cases seemed a valid objection - to paying for one now. i It was resolved to form a Prupcu: - . Holders* Association and a commi Y of 24 was set up. The officers arc a President. Mr. D. VY. McLean; \u« - . presidents, Messrs. S. H. Lyon anil I 1 A. Thompson: secretary, Mr. E. » 1. 1 l Blakey; treasurer. Mr. O’Brien. AppltI cation is to be made for the use u£ the s j Borough Chambers: for holding nieeti- : ings. _____________________