MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 38, 20 February 1901, Page 2

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

At the Council Chambers on Tuesday, a meeting of ratepayers was held, abont 20 being present, when Mr. Paul wns voted to tho chair. Amongst those being present were Crs, Brookiug, C'ollis, and Stobr. Mr. Paul, in opening the proceedings, said be was not at all up to date in the formation of a Ratepayers Association. Tie read the notica convening the raeotinf, and ctllod on, Mr. Jones, who read the ru'ei at the Wellington Association. He ndvo-at' d that those present should art view t]r formation of an Association in a pMvy light, but (is affecting the interes* of the ratepayers. He moved that a New Plymouth Ratepayers' Association be formed,

Mr. Scott, in seconding the motion, said matters were ge'ting serious in tha Borough. There was ro system, but Borough affairs appeared to be conducted by rule of thumo.

Mr. Alexander said the movement was one diluted towards waking up ratepayers to take m int rest in municipal matters. Committees would be formed in each ward at«d thus infuse intorest. At the present lime thero was no interes'ing Jcritkisin but a long continurd gnwling. If there was a strong representative Association thn members could exercise pome influence collsctively instead of as at present having to " lobby " individually. Sir. Hughes was pleased to sfe the " tow blood " of the town taking the initiative. If mora interest were taken Vie best men in the town would come forward for Councillors actuated by pure motives. If th' re were a Ratepayers' Association Councillors would *ake mor3 ißtrresr, in their duties. Ho wanted to see improvements before lie shuffled off this mortal coil. With r>pard to the loanj there appeared no difficulty in putting it on the op»n market in London, where it would leither be taken up at par or at a discount. The money ought to be raised and the improvements urgently requirsd should be effected. Baths stould ha erected, aa they would largely improve the town and attraot touris*s. j Mr. Paul considered the suggestion very useful, especially as it was nonparty, and on those lines ho would give it his support. Mr, Brooking said it appeared to him from the Dumber present that the ratepayers were satisfied wi'h tiii"«* us they were. He was in favour of th« formation of such an Association, as h • considered that in such a question -s tho action of the Railway Uepaitmonfc in shutting the town off from tho bsach the Association could strengthen the Council. Mr. Co 1 lis considered that if a Ratepayers Asssociation could arouse interest in Borough matters ho would welcome its formation. He felt that a coutested election would he a g.y-rl thing, as important questions could bo fought out at ihe ballot box.

Mr. W. Moray was disappoint d that more of the Councillors wore mi present. He had p-edicted many years back thnt the principle of day labuir would break down, and he wns surprised it lasted so long. Tho Council bad Dever allowed anyone to know what the cost of the hoises hid been. The reason the ratepiyers did not pass a loan was because they had no confidence in the present Council.

Tho Chairman said it was not the business of the meeting to criticise the fiction of the Council, but to strengthen its hands. He did not attribute much importance the smallness of the number present, as many important and successful movements had boon initiated by less than those present. The motion was carried.

It was resolved that those present bo considered members of the Association. After some difcussion as to apro'nting officers, when it was pointed out that the meeting was not fully representative, a provisional committee was appointed to work up tho Association before holding an adjourned meeting to elsct officers.