FENDALTON GRIEVANCES

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13964, 10 February 1911, Page 2

FENDALTON GRIEVANCES

WANT OF CONFIDENCE MOTION

The Fendalton schoolroom was crowded on Wednesday evening, when a meeting of ratepayers, called by Mr S. A. Staples, the Chairman of the Waimari County Council, to consider the statement that Fendalton had not been justly treated by the Council, was held. Mr Staples presided, and there -were also present with him: —Messrs F. iSisson, W. J. Walter, R. W. Hawke, J. Cleland, J. Hanna. Mr S. Bullock, the member of the riding on the Council, was among the audience. Tho Chairman said he understood that there was a, great deal of dissatisfaction over the site of the Council Chambers, and the representation of vie riding. This matter had been laid before the Minister for Internal Affairs, and he believed that a solution ot tho difficulty would be arrived at. A statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for the Fendalton riding for the ten months ending March 31st was submitted. The receipts were estimated at £2726', comprising—Proportion of the assets of the Riccarton road district, £HSo 12s od • o-encral rates, £1101 12s lOd; proportion of rents, commissions, licenses, subsidy, nnd dog tees, £433 Iks lOd. The expenditure was estimated at £1570 5s lOd, the principal items being: Proportion oi Riccarton road district liabilities ~.iu9, district roads £439 13s o'd, share of upkeep of main roads £238 12s _"d, lighting £.39 16s. 4d. share of cost of administration £154, and horses and drays £38 10s 7d. The balance-sheet, said tlie chairman, showed that the riding had received fair treatment. If the riding obtained fair representation by the granting of two additional mcmliers, its position would bo much more advantageous than it would be if the proposal to form a borough were carried out and the- district compelled to undertake the heavy initial outlay involved by the proposal. Mr S. Bullock said that Fendalton had been unfairly treated from start to finish. Not half the money contributed in the riding had been expended for the benefit of the riding. Mr W. Wray expressed the opinion that the control of the County had not been given a fair trial, as the County had been formed only six months. The Chairman, in reply, said that during the past three years a considerable sum had been spent on the Fendalton road. Replying to a question by a ratepayer. Mr Sharpc, the Council Engineer, said that an examination of the Riccarton Road Board's books showed that the expenditure on the Fendalton road for broken metal only had amounted to £446 10s 2d during the ten years from 1899 to 1908, the amount spent in the latter year being £7 3s. Mr F. H. Davie moved: —''That the ratepayers of the Fendalton riding of the Waimairi County Council are thoroughly satisfied with the action of their representative on the Council, and take this opportunity of congratulating him on the success of the stand he has taken to free them from an intolerable position." I Mr Duncan seconded tho motion. ! The Chairman, however, refused to put"the motion. The meeting had been called, he said, to fairly discuss matters, and not to carry any resolution. Mr S. W. Jameson then moved: — '•That the ratepayers of the Fendalton riding have no confidence in the Waimairi Council. The motion was seconded by Mr Davie.

The Chairman, under pressure, put tlie motion, which, on a show of hands, was carried-

The Chairman said that the adoption of the motion was illegal, as it -was not ofiicir.l.