Donkey heads march against rate rises
Greymouth reporter A small donkey, its light cover saying: “Grey County Council makes an ass of itself,” and led by the president of the Brunner Ratepayers’ Association, Mr Arthur Gempton, headed a march through Greymouth’s main business area, Mackay Street, at lunch time yesterday. The march from the railway station crossed Boundary Street and continued to the Grey County Council’s offices in Gresson Street.
The group, mainly younger persons, some push-
ing prams, but including a few older people, were protesting against rate rises of up to 200 per cent. Each riding of the county had its own banners, the marchers coming from Nelson Creek, Moana, Ngahere, Blackball, Brunner, Rapahoe, and Atarau. The chanting group gathered outside the County Chambers and called, “We want Stephens,” a reference to the County Clerk, Mr Graham Stephens. Mr Gempton went inside and returned to say that Mr Stephens would not come out as he had nothing to say, but was prepared to receive a petition to the council from no more than two persons. Mr. Gempton, adressing the crowd from the steps of the County Chambers, said that the ratepayers would not move from their intention of paying last year’s rates plus 10 per cent. All ridings, he said, were suffering from a lack of work, and yet the rates were rising 100 to 200 per cent.
He introduced Mr Kim Pettengell, president of the Merivale Ratepayers’
Society, which is protesting against rate rises in Merivale. Mr Pettengell said that “compulsory charities had to stop.” “If we do not receive a service we should not pay,” he said, and was applauded when he added, “Councils are supposed to work and look after us, not the other way round. They must not be allowed to walk over us.” Mr Gempton urged those present to sign the petition before they dispersed. He said that the ratepayers of the county had to stand united, and nominate candidates for the next elections “who will give us value for money.”
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Press, 5 October 1985, Page 3
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338Donkey heads march against rate rises Press, 5 October 1985, Page 3
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