RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 48, 26 February 1901, Page 5

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

NORTHCOTE AND BIRKENHEAD RATEPAYERS* ASSOCIATION FORMED.

THE FERRY SERVICE DISCUSSED

A large gathering of Northcote and Birkenhead resilient., was h-ld at the Gladstone Hall last evening' (Monday) to form a Ratepayers' Association anil discuss the ferry service and Other matters affecting the district.

Mr Joshua Jackson, J.P., presided. Mr C. Hudson, one of the conveners, advocated the formation of a Ratepayers' Association aa a means of communication between the burgesses and their representatives on the Borough Council or itequivalent. He pointed out that the new Municipal Corporations Act provided for the retirement of Councillors en bloc next April, and the present was a favourable opportunity to discuss the future.

The Chairman said lie understood that some Birkenhead gentlemen were prepared to move a resolution, and he wished to take tlie feeling of the meeting whether the two districts should vote separately or together. A show of hands decided In favour of separate voting. Mr C. Chambers moved that a Ratepayers' Association be formed for Birkenhead. Mr C. Hudson seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Cadness and Mr Bruce (C.C.), a similar resolution was passed for NorthcoU-. Mr Harris moved that Messrs Hudson, Newton, Frith, and the mover form a provisional committee for Birkenhead, with power to add to their number, and submit rules for another public meeting to be held at Birkenhead a fortnight hence. Mr J. McPhail seconded the motion, which was carried. Nominations for Northcote resulted in the appointment of the following:—Messrs Cadness, J. Tonar, Tarry, Roberts, Waterworth, Saber, Wigg and Tugby. Mr Hudson read clauses of the new Municipal Corporations Act permitting Councils to run ferry services or regulate charges, time-tables, etc. The present service seemed to have been licensed partly in Wellington and partly by the Auckland Harbour Board. This right was now vested in the municipal bodies of the districts served. It appeared that Road Boards wore not granted this authority, so that Northcote would not have the same power in the matter, although their requirements were the same. It had been rumoured that concessions had been made to the North Shore, and it was felt that if such were the case similar concessions should be granted to them.

Mr Macky (Mayor of Devonport) attended to explain the position at the Shore. He stated that as a result of quiet conferences with the directors of the Ferry Company several alterations had been secured, including more frequent service and a promise of a larger steamer so soon as the uplans of the proposed floating stages were settled. This steamer would make one early passenger trip and attend to cargo and vehicular traffic for the rest of the day. There remained, however, two more points which they intended to insist on, namely, cleaner steamers, and a reduction of the daily fares to 2d each way. The matter was in the hands of the Mayor and three other Councillors of Devonport, and the same for the city.

On the motion of Messrs Hudson and Harris the meeting pledged itself to support no candidates who were not prepared to assist Jn retaining the powers vested in the municipal bodies by the new Act in regard to the ferry companies.

Messrs J. Tonar, Tarry, and Joshua Jackson were appointed to represent Northcote, along with the committees appointed in other districts.

Mr Kenderdine, secretary of the Auckland Ratepayers' Association, read a list of matters dealt with by them since their inauguration two years ago, after which votes of thanks were accorded to the conveners of the meeting, to Messrs Macky and Kenderdine, and also to the Chn**man.