MR HOPKINS ON DRAINAGE BOARD MATTERS.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7736, 16 December 1890, Page 6

MR HOPKINS ON DRAINAGE BOARD MATTERS.

Mr J. H. Hopkins was advertised to address the ratepayers at the Oddfellows' Hall last night, on—(lst) His actons, as a member of the Board; (2nd) setting forth his views for the extending of the aewege system with the present rating power; (3rd) how to materially reduce the rates in the rural districts. His Worship the Mayor opened the meeting. ~, There was only a small attendance. - Mr Hopkins said he bad asked them to hear an explanation of bis actions daring the time he was on toe Board. The estimates, he found, were going back, and h® pointed out to membera that they had no right to sit and allow: such a position to continue. He repeated what he had proposed, to make redactions without impairing the efficiency of the Board's staff or the Board's work. He had opposed the proposal to have the Board's rating power increased because ctse people-should not be taxed to pay back debts which should not bave been incurred, and because the BoArd's credit would be impaired. ' Beside*, there was no likelihood of money being obtained unless at extortionate, interest. Hβ told his auditors of his proposal to invest the debentures in the Colony, and so save money, and took the different Boards to task for having neglected to appropriate a certain sum yearly, to be called the Sinking Fund, Alluding to the recent Supreme Court case, he said that had he lost it he must have paid the costs out of his own pocket. It were a pity, aince the BoaM had lost the case, that the members bad not- been compelled; to pay the costs out of theirpoeketa for the wrong they were doing. He took exception, to the manner in which the sewage farm was managed, and the manner in which its accounts, were kept. He alleged that the 1888 accounts of the Board were misleading and pointed out where. In criticising the accounts of 1889 be said the balance sheet was not quite correct. The expenditure was. in round figures . £9000 instead of £7000 as stated. Speaking on sewage matters he pointed out that the clearing and maintenance of sewers ..only, cost something over £309. This wa9 discreditable. A large? amount should have been spent in the. : system. Bat the Board never had any money.. In fact, it was bankrupt, And woulo remain so under the present kind of administration. To invest the money'in. the colony and reduce the administrative and executive expenses would give a surplus which could be distributed about the district, and, besides, if the local bodies did the work themselves, there would be a saving of two-thirds to the ratepayers. He verily believed that the river, sewers, and drains could be better and more cheaply at- , tended to in the way he had mentioned, and the Board sboald only be one ot supervision. He showed how the expenses fell on the, rural districts, and referring to the lasc Board elections he said that there were seats filled without any opposition, aad he believed that pressure bad been brought to bear to fill those chairs which was not the pressure of the ratepayers. He hoped that oa Thursday next candidates would be nominated 1 who had th© interests of the ratepayers as heart, . -- : ..•..••..;■:■:•• '<: ■•.■>. :. .

After Mr Hopkins had answered a few questione, -■;■■• ■-''~ •■ ■. ■ -.: .■ ; Mr XatrsE moved, aad Cr. Thomson , seccfDded, a vote of thanks to Mr Hopkins for his aodfseas, which wa^cayrried. The msaal compliment to the Chairman closed the meeting. •