RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1921, Page 5

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS.

EAST END GETS TO WORK. AN ASSOCIATION FORMED. A meeting attended by about fourteen ratepayers) in the East End of the New Plymouth Borough was held last night, I Mr. C. Carter presiding. Mr, Davis, in introducing the subject of the meeting, said that was the only part of the town which had not a ratepayers’ association. They had a member of the council, but needed an association to back him up. The chairman congratulated, the East End people on at last making a move to form a ratepayers’ association. He detailed what had been done in other parts of the borough in this direction, and stressed the importance of these associations with regard to representation on public bodies. The associations reeog wised the right of all classes to be reI presented on the Borough Council, and | the only thing they were up against • was the platform of the Labor Party. By linking the various ratepayers’ associations a strong body of opinion on public matters was obtained, and the needs of the districts brought under rei view. United action was needed as to 1 valuation matters. Some years ago an association was formed to combat excessive valuations, and it did very successful work. He did not know what the latest valuation was, but it was well to have public opinion, united to 1 deal with the matter. Another question I was the urgent need for public con- : leniences . The council was giving favor-; able consideration to planting as instanced at the corner of the Carrington Road, so that there were many matters an association could assist in.

Mr. Carter then outlined the steps to be taken hi forming an aasociiation and electing officers. The expenditure at other than election times was, he said, very light. It was at those times the members had to be must active, especially in placing names of voters on the roll. hi answer to a question, Mr. Davis explained that he did not know what boundaries should be fixed, hut they would not clash with Fitzroy or the town. Some discussion took place on the matter, Mr. Dingle suggesting that the eaetern boundary should be the Mangorei Road. Though he would still be in Fitzroy he would do his best for all the districts. It-was then unanimously decided that an East End Ratepayers’ Association bp formed. The question concerning the boundaries elicited remarks as to the meeting being too small to be representative, and that it would have been better to have advertised the nature of the meeting. rhe following were appointed a committee to canvass for members, and report to an adjourned meeting a fortnight hence, when officers will he elected: Messrs. Len. Smith, A. Smith. T. J. Hunt, G. Davidson, G. f-'Uis, A. Neilson, A. Davis, J. Vale, Mr. Lavis’ to be chairman. The subscription for the first year was fixed at 2s 6d. J. Smith brought up the question as to what was proposed to be done by the council as to Mt. Bryan. He Objected ,to cattle being grazed there. Mr. Davis stated that tile Mayor had enquired ,f the East End Committee would take over control of the reserve, out as there was no revenue for upKeep the committee dad not agree to the subsidy ’ UnleSS the COUBcil provided a After some further discussion the matter was held over until the association got to work. The chairman urged the committee ttaSd fk‘1 g .r ith a "’ ilL He ™ 6 tineed that the greater the attractions ter tar t d 66 to ' ,isiOTB the b( ‘ t niv/ th ‘ e S °° d of - the town - H® would couM aSSOCII “'“ all the help he.