RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 57, 8 March 1888, Page 5

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting was held last night at Mills'sHall (kindly lent by the proprietors) for the purLof forming a Katepayers' Association. <lhe meeting was fairly attended, ah wards of the city being represented. Mr * arrell, of the South Ward, was voted to the chair. MrH Phillips read the notice calling the meeting, and explained that the conveners felt it would be presumption on their part to come more fully prepared and therefore decided to leave to the meeting any further proceedings as regarded framing rules, etc. Ine Chairman addressed the meeting on the urgent necessity of organising, and read the following list of City Council annual salaries, viz.: Mayor, £550 ; Town Clerk, 1450- City Engineer, £500; Assistant Engineer, £300; Treasurer, £300; Rate Collector, £200; Assistant do., £200; Messenger, £156, with house and fuel; Inspector Goldie and two assistants, £460. This, he Baid, make a grand total of £2,950, which, if this society was in earnest, could te considerably reduced in view of the serious depreciation of property in the present and future. Mr I. Jeune spoke on the necessity of forming the Ratepayers' Association, taxation being felt very keenly these depressed times, and he commended the conveners for taking the preliminary proceedings. Mr Page, a ratepayer of Karangahape Ward," spoke on the extravagant expenditure of the local government bodies, and recommended to the meeting that what tlejdid as a body they should do systematically and form a committee to carry out tie wishes of the meeting. Mrßrame was fully in accord with the object of the meeting, but cautioned the proposed society against a too hasty decision as to who were overpaid or otherwise, as he knew of many officers who, considering the amount of work expected of them, were badly paid. He also spoke of the urgent necessity of draining many parts of the city, which would, if not remedied, bring death to many homes. He also spoke decidedly on the pollution of our water supply and its probable failure, if steps were not taken against its pollution. MrG. Marshal proposed, "That a ratepayers' association be formed."

This was seconded, and carried unanimously. A committee from the various wards was elected by the meeting as follows : —Messrs Page, K. Farrell, Marshall, Mills, H. Phillips, Otto, Ellis, Scott, Rule and Cleave, with power to add to their number, for the purpose of forming or obtaining rales, and bringing them forward at a meeting of ratepayers. Mr Jeune proposed, "That the meeting adjourn till this day week (14th inst.), when the Committee could report progress." _ This was carried, Mr Mills kindly offering the use of the hall till the formation of the society was an established fact. Some further conversation ensued, and the Chairmanapoke on the urgent necessity cf combining for mutual help, and compelling a just outlay of the money obtained from taxes and endowments. He spoke of the urgent necessity of sending men to the Council who would not look to their own aggrandisement, but would honestly administer the affairs of the city. Mr Phillips spoke of-the expenditure in Municipal courtesies, coming from municipal funds, instancing, drives out by city oncers, and displays, paid by the City Council from taxes. ...

Mr Bramecordiallythankedthe promoters oi the movement, and proposed a vote of thanks to Messrs Phillips and Mills, which was accorded, and, with a vote of thanks to ™c the meeting adjourned till we wth March, all ratepayers being cordially invited. . . .