WELLINGTON RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1899, Page 6

WELLINGTON RATEPAYERS ' ASSOCIATION.

Under the auspices of tho recentlyformed Ratepayers' Association a meeting (ft ratepayers was hold at the Trocadero last evening, about 50 being present. Sir Robert Stout (me President) was in the chair. The draft constitution of the Association was submitted to the meeting and approved. Inter alia, it set forth that the objects of the association should be:— (1) Tho investigation of the finance of the city ; (2) examination and criticism of the expenditure on and undertaking of public works in the city ; (3) the advocacy of public enterprises likely to be for the public benefit ; (4) aiding the local authorities in the economical administration of public affairs ; (5) tho discussion of the above j'nd other cognate subjects . (6) the creating and fostering of a healthy public opinion upon rill matters affecting the welfare of the city. The election of an Executive Committee (four from each Ward of the city) resulted as follows; — Thorndon, Messrs. T. Orr, C. W. Smith, G. Bolton, and R. Davenport ; Lambton, Messrs. J. M. llichardsoti, F. Townscnd, E. Arnold, and Crump ; To Aro, Messrs. G. Winder, G. Leslie, Mason, and C. Paljiser ; Cook, Messrs. W. Heginbotham, A. Wilson, R. P. Collins, and J. 8011. The officers are members of the Executive ex officio. On the motion of the Hon. T. W. Hislop, it was resolved that the association should be registered under tho Unclassified Societies Registration Act. Before tho meeting terminated, Sir Robt. Stout briefly addressed those present on the lines of his address at the inaugural meeting. He also added that he desired to remove an impression which had got abroad to the effect that the association had been formed to block progress and improvements in the city, and to oppose the City Council. That was not their intention. What th-iy wanted to do was to create a strong public opinion, and thereby look after tho interests of the ratepayers. Ho quite agreed with Mr. Hislop thut there had not been enough attention paid to municipal matters iv the past. They must go forward carefully and cautiously but steadily. A vole of thanks Was accorded the Chairman, and a large number of those present then gave in their names as members, and paid their subscriptions. The Hon. T. W. Hislop's promised address will be given at a future meeting.