MOUNT ROSKILL RATEPAYERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 102, 2 May 1925, Page 10

MOUNT ROSKILL RATEPAYERS.

CHAIRMAN APPLIES CLOSURE

MEETING OF PROTEST FOLLOWS, j

The annual meeting of Mount Roskill ratepayers last night was notable for the things that were not said rather than the. things that were. The consequence was that as soon as the. formal meeting was closed another one Iregaii, mid tlie new chairman. Mr. A. K. Roxburgh, gave all the ratepayers ample opportunity to "let off steam." Oeysers were breakins out in all directions, Mr. Roxburgh often having to decide from half a dozen which bad first "caught the Speaker s eve." The main subject of protest was that the chairman of the Road Boar, IMr <;. E. Tansleyl. who had presided at the animal meeting, had closed it down on a motion to adopt the annual report, whereas several speakers maintained that they had not understood that this would automatically close he meeting. Finally a resolution of disapproval was carried, together with a recommendation that the incoming board should prepare an agenda paper for the next annual meeting. After various criticisms had been indulged in regarding the policy of the late board, it was gumtested that the new aspirants for municipal fame should give their own views, in order that the ratepayers could iudire of their personal suitability. Five candidates thereuon seated themselves alongside the diairman, who announced tlmt each could have five, minutes to expound the "planks in his platform." Mr. T. C. K. Thatcher claimed 32 years knowledge of municipal affairs, and that he had come forward in response to a request made as soon as he arrived in the district. He made a strong plea for increased attention to the back streets maintaining that the main roads would always be before the public eye. Mr. W. H. Smith said he would make it his dtitv to keep a careful watch on all tho little improvements that added to the safety and comfort of the residents. Mr. L. A.'Tozer, speaking as the mouthpiece of the Ratepayers' Association, enumerated their main objectives. The public utilities must keep pace with the growth of the district, even if it entailed further borrowing for sanitation, lightin", and roading. He urged economy by conducting all works through their own engineer, instead of engaging consulting engineers. Mr. F. A. Denize supported the platform of the Ratepayers' Association as expounded by Mr. Tozcr; and Mr. T. S. Lamont expressed his pleasure that by this constitutional means the ratepayers had an efficient organisation through which their various needs could be put before the board with better effect I than by individual application.

The annual meeting itself wns devoted to the reading of the annual report by the chairman' of the Road Board, Mr. (!. E. Tansley. and a discussion thereon. Mr. Tansley reviewed the principal operations of the year. All the accounts were in credit except the water account, and the debit in this had been reduced from £1230 to £233, so that the time ha arrived when a reduction in the price of water should be considered. A large amount of road foundation and maintenance work had been completed, but the old roads, largely composed of scoria, could not stand up to heavy motor traffic, and it would soon be necessary to put down in permanent material the* main roads, such as Mount Albert Koad, Dominion Road, Three Kings Road, Pah Koad, and May Road. This might cost £7i5,000, but tlie experience in Mnnukau Koad, where concrete formation had done away with an annual maintenance cost of £400 to £500 per annum, suggested that they might just as well pay their money for interest thrown in, instead of alternate dust and mud. The board now had its own working plant, all paid for out of revenue, and had spent £1230 in tarring ami shelling footpaths, besides forming Pah Road from Beckenham Avenue to Mount Albert Road, while kerbinjj and channelling is being laid in Mount Albert Koad. and Dominion Koad. Waikowhai Park is getting more popular each year, and campers' fees more than doubled. The sewerage scheme will probably be completed in three months, and storm water drainage is also being arranged. The weekly collection of house refuse, recently instituted in the eastern area of the district, is to be extended to the western also. The board favoured electric lighting, at a cost of approximately £1000 |*,er annum, in place of the present system, which costs £390. Mr. Tansley concluded with a record of the progress of the district as shown by ./.e building permits, and the further area now cut up for residential purposes.

Replying to questions, the chairman regretted that the Main Highways Board had so far refused to regard Mount Albert Road af a main highway. It was being cut up by heavy through traffic, and the license fees received came to only £199 in the year, but under the new allocation it would be about £4")4.

"But what is £4.~>4 when we have 100 miles of roads? We can only do about two side roads each year out of revenue, and must borrow for the main roads. ,.

Mr. Farrelly, a member who is not seeking reflection, moved the adoption of the report, and that consideration of the balance-sheet be deferred till receipt of the auditors' report. This was carried, and the charman closed the meeting, an action which led to the subsequent meeting of protest.