CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume 49, Issue 7625, 19 February 1921, Page 3

CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

♦ . ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Tauranga Citizen's Association.was held in the Coronation Hall on 11th inst. the President, Mr. E. Burgess, presiding. The secretary, Mr. A. Withy, read the following report on _thc work of the Association for the year;— “In presenting their report the executive, who held eleven meetings during the year, feel that while they believe their efforts have been productive of some good, they could wish that more interest had been, displayed. Although notices have been sent to numerous members the attendance was in some cases poor. One difficulty experienced was in obtaining a suitable place of meeting without having to pay too much for the accommodation. Meetings were held in various rooms, and at the office of Messrs. Cairns and Long, whom we desire to thank. It is also not easy to choose h. night for meetings to suit all members. We trust that during the ensuing year increased interest may be awakened, as we are at a critical stage in the history and development of the town, and wise counsels are needed to further the best interests of all. We desire to work in harmony with the various local bodies, and endeavour to give Taurariga her proper place as the principal town in I lie district, and by wise management to make it- an attractive place of residence to the many people who are coming to live and work here. At the first meeting called by advertisement and held in Messrs. Cairns and Long’s office on January 6th, 1920, a fair number attended and tea members joined. It was decided to form a Ratepayers' Association. Mr. Burgess was elected to the chair, and it was resolved to adjourn and meet if possible in the band room to elect a committee and appoint a secretary. At a meeting in the band room oil January 20th very few attended. Two more members were admitted but no business was done. At a meeting in Cairns and Long’s office on January 27th it was resolved to change the name to the Tauranga Citizens’ Association. Members’ subscriptions were fixed Jit 5/- per annum. Messrs. Burgess, Sinclair, Cairns, Gibbon and Withy were elected as an executive. Mr. Burgess was elected, president for the first year and Mr. Sinclair was elected secretary. Meetings were fixed for the last Tuesday in each.' month. At a meeting-held in Tivoli tea ioom£ on February 24th. Mr. Newton joined and volunteered to get information re rating on unimproved values from the borough clerk. At a meeting in Forester’s Hall on April 15th, three more members joined. It was resolved to call the attention of the council to hole near Masonic .Hotel holding water, and also to storm water at Torrance’s corner. Attention was also drawn to crossings over concrete channels, which we believe to be unsuitable and dangerous. At a meeting in the Denver tea rooms on May 25 it was resolved that council be asked to enquire re the possibility of obtaining road shingle from Oputiki or Whakatane hy scows taking timber to those places. It was also suggested that the council and county might -employ a good engineer jointly. The borough council was also asked to provide a rest room for ladies, in the boroughAt a meeting in the town hall supper room on June 28th it was resolved to call attention of the council to rubbish left on streets; to wait 011 the Public. Works engineer re traffic bridge in conjunction with railway bridge; to write"ito Sir William Herries re proclamation over Mstspihi against speculators; to write to Whakalane Harbour Board re delivery or metal for roads. At a meeting in the Coronation’Hall on August. 31 another member joined. Mr. Withy volunteered to act as secretary. The council’s attention was directed to a slip on the Redoubt ; to dangerous corners at Strand and Spring street, and at sth Avenue and Devonport road; to hoardings scattered about the town, and to level pegs and fire plugs standing above the .surface. The council was also asked to consider provision of a reservoir on Parkinson s Hi . At a meeting in the Coronation Hall on September‘29th Mr. Bruce Beale joined. The council was asked to put shell on the worst footpaths in the town at Cameron road and Willow street to the 1 ost Office. Attention was also called to houses and back yards in bad condition; pigs kept m borough, 1 to horses and cows on streets. Ibe council was asked not to renew licenses for cgjttle on streets after cember 31st, 1920. The Harbom Board loan was discussed. It• ‘ . also resolved to meet on he time Tuesday in each month. At a meeting on October Will Mr. s-ess reported re Maori . stops taken for ttar rcmoral or novation. AppUcaUon - r& a representative ot A 4 o TllPOfcllliT OH in Tauranga. At a met B November 16th the council ** asked to remove cattle and h from the borough streets and Jo provide for a reservoir and tome fences in future loan proposals.. The executive cannot close this report without feeling reference to I heir loss of a member of felling worth and genuine chaiactei m - • Sinclair, who was ever reat > with advice and work m loi Lading the progress o£ t iv tor™. While all of the. Association jn presentations to the council 'not met with favour or attouliou, many have received notice, . d feel that some success has onr efforts, and « believe tl«l more ran be done by cussiou and suggestion. " e the year with nineteen me plot a