SUMNER BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19115, 26 September 1927, Page 3

SUMNER BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION.

I ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of tho Sumnor Burgesses' Association was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday evening, the Rev. W. McAra presiding over an attendance of twenty members.

Tho annual report stated that during tho year the Association lost several members by death, notably Messrß 0. Benjamin, C. L. Mv g ?v n Vn d^ v - Vo J ler - Durin e th ° yew JUi W. C, Collins retired from the secretaryt«™ „f £" unt i r j"S -? eal during, his short ■term,of office put tho Association on a sound footing. ; "

_ Interchange' of visits with tho Redcliffs Association were arranged, and were successful so far as Sumner was concerned. It was felt, however, that the Redcliffs Association dealt with works matters, rhich in bumner are undertaken by the Beautifying Society, and (hat the presence of visitors might'-be a drawback to free discussion. At the beginning of the year the question of alleged excessive electricity charges was dealt with, and though little relief was obtained, ■it-was felt-that ventilation'of the question would eventually lead to cheaper current to consumers. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs J. Longton, A. J.. Scott, and King n a j c°"°P erati "S "witli a committee from the Redcliffs Burgesses regarding tramway matters. Negotiations were in hand for tho 0.45 p.m. Woolston tram to run through to Sumner; thus obviating tho present long interval between the 9.15 and 10.10 p.m. cars; also for speeding up the 12.35 p.m.-Saturday car. The Association's agitation for a slot telophone at the Scarborough end was likely to materialise in a slot cabinet at the tram terminus before the holiday season set in. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £2 2s sd, with many subscriptions still to come in.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tho election of officers resulted as follows: —President, the Rev. W. McArn; vice-presi-dents, Messrs F. H. Matthews and AV. Bailey; committee, Messrs A. J. Scott. .T. C. McDonald, Rnodes, J. Longton, Cock;, lion, auditor, Mr A. J. Scott; hon. secretary, Mr J. S. Young; hpn. treasurer, Mr W. H. Brown; delegatos to United Burgesses' Association, Messrs A. J. Scott and J. Longton. The question of appointing a representative to the Beautifying Association was held over to tho next committee meeting. Miss Keese wrote tendering her resignation, which was accepted. Miss Jones wrote asking the Association to go into tho question of providing a scat at the Nayland street-Wakefield avenuo, tram stop. It was decided to send the letter fo the Tramway Board, with the request that the scat bo erected.

On tho request of the chairman Mr V. E. Hamilton gave • some information concerning tho proposed loan. Ho said that it had been suggested that the Council was trying to force the loan on the ratepayers. He wished to repudiate: this suggestion,, as the ' ratepayers were given the chanco to decide at the poll. Some of the residents would like to see things done out of the rates, but tho rates were too low. Parts of the Redcliffs area, particularly Pratt street and Bay View road,' were in a very bad state, channelling being required urgently. The Clifton road needed immediate attention, and frequent requests for improvements were made from the Valley area. The improvements in 'VVhitiioM street were done with electric light profits, which meant that residents were paying to improve land (or non-residents, Sumner, he said, wanted population, and then the rates would go down further still. As an example, Mr Hamilton quoted Scarborough Hill, from which a few years ago there were, no rates forthcoming whatever. Continuing, Mr Hamilton sard that the people at the back of Sumner were continually crying out that no money was being spent on them. Ho said that the £13,000 loan raised a good many years ago was .spent from the sea-front to C'oleus.o street. The Valley area has contributed to this loan all these years, and it was only fair that they should now receive assistance. He considered that the great consideration was that the work would comply with tho Government requirements relating to unemployment. They would therefore he able to obtain a substantial subsidy, so that with a £3500 loan, with a £ISOO subsidy, work to tho extent of £SOOO could be done. The position ■regarding electric lighting was that ratepayers were paying far too much. The voltage should be 230, but probably was not more than 200, and sometimes only 150. This position, he considered, was the result : of lack of vision of previous Councils, in [ neglecting to put in heavy cables To put the matter right would cost £SOOO. This should be added to the loan, so that the proposal would then be £SOOO for works and £SOOO for electric lighting. In conclusion he said' that a meeting of ratepayers would be called when concrete proposals were made. Mr Hamilton was accorded a vote of thanks for his address. .