WANING INTEREST.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19691, 7 August 1929, Page 12

WANING INTEREST.

UNITED BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION. "Don't let us do anything to break up the United Burgesses' Association. Sheer jealousy has been responsible for the antagonism towards it," said Mr | R, B. Dalley at last evening's meeting of the St. Albans Burgesses' Association, when the report of the delegates to the last meeting of the United Association was discussed. Mr Wallace, who represented the Association, remarked that the least said about the meeting the better. The chairman had "got away on his own, and was in the midst of a eulogy of the Tramway Board when a member pulled him up and the Council business was proceeded with. Then, owing to the small attendance, it was decided to postpone the meeting. "The United Burgesses' Association is a fiasco, and T think we can get on better without it." Mr F. Proating. another delegate, said the meeting of the Association had been very disappointing. Two remits referring to traffic control had to be further shelved after having been held over from a previous meeting. Only six associations were represented. and it seamed as though _ little interest was taken in the affaire of the Association. Mr R. B. Dalley. said he was very sorry to hear the reports of the delegates. He hoped that those present would not be disheartened. There were times when all committees had a lean spell, and when their prospects did not look too good. When the United Burgesses' Association was formed it received little publicity, but had accomplished a number of good things for the City and had ultimately forced recognition He pointed out that the | Association had protested against the | original proposals for a 4ft 6in bridcre over the Avon at New Brighton, which would have been a calamity had it been built. The City Council had actually undertaken to give its quota towards the cost of the bridge. but the Association had seen the danger, and matters had been completed t-brongh the Minister for Marine, so that a bridge satisfactory to the people of New Brighton and to the people of (2hristchnrch was to be erected. TTiere were pumerous other matters of benefit to the public, whioh had been originated by the Association One of the main troubles was iealonsv anions local bodies, manv of whom con*id<»red that the Association had nsnrned their duties He believed ♦■hat burgesses' associations w»»re not nsinc the Association enotifb. and 'irged them not to do anvthine to •>reaV it nn Tf anvtbinf happened. *hev might never be aWe to revive it CS'tv Councilors looked to it for c?uidmce - as it expressed a knowledge* of suburban needs Thorp wa«j an internal matter affecting the progress of the Association, bnt he contended that time would rectifv this. "It is in vonr power to carrv on the verv excellent work the Association ha<* up to the present accoronlished and T bone uothine will be done to throw that power awav." concluded Mr Dallev. The delegates were thanked for their report.