SATISFACTORY YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 21091, 2 May 1932, Page 14

SATISFACTORY YEAR

MORNINGTON RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION REPORTS PROGRESS DETAILS OF WORK CARRIED OUT The annual report ot the Mornington Ratepayers’ Association, to be presented at tlio annual meeting on Thursday evening next, states : The year ended April JO, 1932, has been a most satisfactory one in all respects with regard to our association. D will be recalled that at the last general meeting, held on May 15, 1931. a motion was tabled with a view to disbanding the association. However, the mover not being present to support the motion, it automatically di’opped, and as those present were strongly m favour ot carrying on it was resolved to start afresh. A strong committee was formed, and the following results speak for the wisdom of keeping the association together:— When the present committee took office the membership of the association numbered some fifteen ratepayers, and it must be admitted that those on the committee for the previous year did not receive much encouragement to further the interests of the district, as without the backing of"*the ratepayers they did not get the support necessary for the association to carry on. H is gratifying to soo that we are at lasi getting the support of the ratepayers, as the membership roll indicates. This fact alone gives the committee encouragement to attend to the many requirements of our district. The reduction ot the membership fee from 2s fid to is no doubt had a good effect in inducing many who have the interests of the district at heart to join, for it was considered that the fee of 2s fid in these times might be out of the reach of some For some considerable time the monthly meetings were held in the homes ot committeemen, hut the committee, realising that some fixed meeting place would be more advisable, decided that the Scout Hall would meet the requirements, and satisfactory arrangements were made with the trustees of the hall for the purpose of holding meetings. The thanks of the association are extended to the committeemen for the use of their homes, and also to the Scouts for the hall. The report then goes on to detail works carried out during the year as follows: Conveniences at Tram Terminus.—it is pleasing to report that the association was able to finalise the erection of conveniences and a rest room at the Mornington tram terminus. The association has been advocating tins work for some years, and we owe thanks to past committeemen who did all the spade work in this' matter which has now been completed. Judging fay the use being made of the rest room it is fulfilling a long-felt want and justifies the expenditure incurred. Carriers on Trailers.—We have been fortunate in having extra accommodation lor the carnage of prams provided by the City Council. Prior to the fitting of these carriers, many mothers had to wait lor some considerable time at the tenninus before space could be found for the prams. . This extra accommodation is proving a real boon without interfering with the tram service. General Work.—During the past year the association has dealt with numerous letters from ratepayers drawing attention to matters pertaining to the welfare of the district, and in practically every instance the requests have been satisfied. Extra street lights, hedges cut back, footpaths attended to, dangerous corners improved, are only a few ol the various works attended to by the City Council at our request. Tram Fares.—The ever-burning subject ol tram tares on the .Mornington lines lias received a great deal ol consideration. A public meeting was called during the year and resulted in a deputation waiting on the City Council with a request for the reduction ot the present too-high fares. The deputation explained the request to the council, quoted fares on other suburban lines which are cheaper than ours, suggested fares which were more reasonable than nt present, and winch would be granting us just the same privileges enjoyed by other suburbs m Dunedin. It is regretted that the request was not favourably received by the council, the ouly concession being two extra rides on * the Alaryhill line. However, the association intends taking up the matter again at the earliest possible moment, and hopes to make a more favourable impression next time. Dance.—To augment the funds of the association the committee decided to hold a dance, which was a success socially and financially, and the association’s thanks are due to committeemen’s wives and Inends who so generously donated the refreshments, which assisted in no small way to ensure success. Apart from the financial aspect, the dance served to bring the association before the residents, and members have been congratulated on the endeavour to bring the people together and promote a feeling of good fellowship amongst those living in the district.

General.—The association has several other important works in the district requiring attention, such as street widening, new footpaths, and dangerous corners, and it is intended to bring the works before the notice of the council in the near future. City Council.—-We feel that the evercourteous manner m winch the City Council has endeavoured to meet our requests should be placed on record, and while we have been disappointed on various occasions, when we realise the difficult times we are at present passing through, we have been treated very fairly, and we feel sure we would have had many more urgent matters attended to had the council the wherewithal to do so. The Press.—We must place on record our appreciation of the courteous manner in which we have been treated at all times by the Press. Great leniency has been shown us m the matter ot reports, and the publicity given has been to the advantage of the association and the district generally. Finance.—lt is pleasant during these hard times to see that our funds are in a healthy state. Our requirements are small, but such items as stationery, stamps, and advertising are a steady drain on onr resources. It is gratifying to come through the year with a sumll surplus in hand. Harmony Amongst Members. The absolute harmony which has prevailed amongst members of the committee has been such that the working of the association has run smoothly throughout the past year, while the untiring efforts of all to do their share has enabled the association to carry out its valuable work i'he untiring efforts ol the secretary (Mr C. R. Smith) has been of great value to our association, 'and wo are indebted to him for the work ho has carried out, while members are deserving of every thanks for their efforts to make Mornington an even hotter suburb than it is. It is hoped that the coming year will lie an oven better one from the association’s point of view, and that the efforts of the new committee will prove as satisfactory to the district as has been the case during the past year.