NEW LYNN RATEPAYERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 196, 20 August 1925, Page 12

NEW LYNN RATEPAYERS.

DISCUSS LOCAL AFFAIRS. LIGHTING AND BOADING. SEWAGE SCHEME UNDER CONSIDERATION. A mooting of ratepayers, under tho auspices of the New Lynn Community Guild, took place last evening at the Congregational Hall. Mr. Wihittaker presided, and Mr. C. F. Gai'dner, chairman of the Town Board, accepted an invitation to be present. About 200 ratepayers were in attendance. The chairman invited Mr. Gardner in address the meeting in respect to electricity and the proposed roading loans. Mr. Cardiier stated that' there had apparently been a good deal of criticism on the way the board had dealt with the electricity question. If anyone had the interest of the district at heart they would have approached the board first and verified their opinions before criticising- what had boon done. If they had found Die position as they thought, then they were justified in going on with their criticism, if constructive. Ratepayers had a duty to perform as well as the members of the board. He was surprised that people had complained of not knowing the actual position in regard to reticulation. Practically at every meeting for the last 12 months he had made a report on the ■electricity question, and was indebted ■fo the Press for the publicity given. It .had been staled that the board's conimiltees had not met. This was correct, and the reason was to be found in the fiicrt that) with one or two exceptions, all the board's business had been transacted in open board. There were times, however, in the public interest, when it was advisable not to make matters public at that time. He was quite satisfied with the present position; the district was being Teticulated nt tlio' Auckland rate, plus' 10 per cent. He had reason to believe that the 10 per cent would not be charged. Ratepayers, through misrepresentation, had been misled as to the state of affairs. The Auckland Board would have reticulated the whole of the town area but for the objection of the Waitemata Board. However, the matter rested entirely in the hands of the ratepayers. The district averaged a dwelling to every two chains of roadway, and there was every reason to expect the original plan of reticulation would be carried out if they sent in their applications. A number of streets had been approved of since the last meeting of the board. New Lynn was in the outer area of the Waitemata Board, and had no financial obligation, but would have to pay a slightly higher rate while they remained in the outer area. He advised the Community Guild to go into the matter, themselves and express an opinion as to how the board should act—go into the Waitemata's Inner area or remain as at present. After a number of questions had been put and answered, Mr. Feilding moved, nnd Mr. Pilkington seconded, a resolution in which the Town Board. was requested to circulate a petition urging tho Minister to allow the New Lynn district to be permanently attached to the Auckland Power Board's area. This was carried unanimously. Mr. Gardner intimated that ho thought their efforts in thi3 direction would not meet with success. j,, Roading Proposals. The chairman at this stage wished Mr. Gardner to discuss tho proposed roading loana and the general policy of the board. Mr. Gardner pointed out that the revenue was not sufficient to keep the roads in a satisfactory state of repair. The population was increasing sufficiently to warrant the board asking the ratepayers to sanction a loan for permanent construction. The amount involved could not be stated at the moment, and the roads to be dealt "with tinder the new policy had not been finally approved. The roads in many instances had to be brought down to permanent levels. The work undertaken would be of such a nature that something would be left to be eeen for the money expended after the redemption of the loan. The hoard was also in communication with the health authorities in respect to a sewage scheane, which would have to be faced in the near future. Ratepayers would be fully informed before being asked to vote on any issue. Referring to a statement circulated that the administration costs were too high, Mr. Gardner stated that last year's costs amounted to n little over 7 per cent, which compared more than favourably with neighbouring local bodies. After further questions had been answered, a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Gardner for his address.