DEVONPORT RATEPAYERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 10, 13 January 1931, Page 5

DEVONPORT RATEPAYERS.

PREPARING FOR ELECTIONSDISCUSSION OX METER PURCHASR A largely attended meeting of tlic executive and members of the Devonport Property-holders' Association was licld last ovoiiiug. Tlie president, Mr. D. W. McLean, presided. The chairman said the membership of the association stood at 18-10, out of a, total of 2000 ratepayers in tlie Devonport borough. The policy of the association was to discourage further borrowing, and to secure more, economical administration and the expenditure of rate revenue on subsidiary 6treete. In connection with meter purchases, Mr. McLean said he had interviewed tlie town clerk and been informed that the old meters had cost £0000; they were eventually sold for £250. The last consignment of meters cost £7000. Tlie original purchase of meters was paid for by savings from the pumping of water. Mr. Thompson said Mr. Harris, M.P.. had made a statement that tlie old meters cost £12,000, and that he had had a washing-up bill put through Parliament for that sum, and it had appeared on the 1920 balance-sheet. A general meeting is to be held on January 26 to select candidates for Mayor and councillors. A discussion took place on whether the meeting should be open, or whether voters should be admitted by ticket. It was eventually decided to admit members to the meeting by ticket. The president said there was to be no "star ' chamber" tactics adopted by the association in the conduct of the ballot and the election procedure. Such a fair policy had never before been enacted.