BRIGHTON RATEPAYERS

Evening Star, Issue 21630, 27 January 1934, Page 9

BRIGHTON RATEPAYERS

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION The annual meeting of the Brighton Ratepayers’ Association was held on Thursday evening, the president (Mr R. Wales) being m the chair. The following annual report was adopted:—

“ In presenting this the third annual report of your association, the executive desires to express its hearty appreciation for the support of a very large majority of ratepayers and residents of Brighton. The membership now stands at 110. The services rendered by the association havo well warranted its formation, and the success attained by the efforts of its executive and the hearty co-operation of the members has been mucn appreciated by the community generally. Many improvements have been effected through the agency of the association jointly with and through the courtesy of the Taieri County Council and the Unemployment Board. “ There are yet considerable improvements to be effected, and these have been discussed by the executive and are being kept-steadily in view; but, due to the unfortunate period of depression the community has been experiencing, funds are strictly administered and the proposed improvements are, in the circumstances, withheld from prosecution. Of the improvements already made one that has been much appreciated is the widening of the Main road between Jones road and the bridge, the levelling of the association’s property adjoinjng this locality, and, through the kind courtesy of the council, the provision of free parking on this part of the road. Another very important improvement is the work done on the Bedford parade. The road on the eastern side of the parade has been produced as' far as Mr Runciman’s residence and the parade generally cleared of noxious weeds, its appearance thereby being much improved. Several other much appreciated improvements have been carried out during the past year. “There has been a change in the administration of affairs in connection with the unemployed. The Brighton Committee was abandoned and a board formed in Mosgiel._ Generally the members of the association and its executive have noted with a great deal of interest that since the advent of the free parking area considerable re-estab-lishment of the confidence of the motoring public is noticeable by the largo increase in the number of visitors on and week-ends. This is much appreciated by the local business people.” SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. .

The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, stated with reference to the improvements yet to be made that the executive was much concerned with the general appearance of the roadway facing the bathing beach, particularly from the corner opposite the Big Rock to Jones’s road. The executive would like to see this road widened and a footpath formed on the inland side of the road, while the rank growth of grass and lupin could be trimmed. If funds could bo raised for the purpose, a masonry support could be built on the beach side of the road and an esplanade formed similar to the one at St. Clair. The executive further advocated some improvement of the green below; the road. "While at the moment it was an excellent picnicking and playground, it could be vastly improved if levelled off and turfed and new bathing sheds erected. This section of the reserve was controlled by a different association and he merely referred to the suggested improvements as the expressed wishes of the executive.

With reference to the change in the administration of affairs in connection with the-Unemployed Board, Mr Wales said that thik appeared to have been for the. best, and was appreciated by the association. Prior to the change it was difficult for the association to get unemployed placed at its service. Since the change, however, matters had been different, and the executive had had the help of several of the unemployed to assist in levelling off the association’s property facing the*beach. The property had been originally bought for the purpose of forming a parking area; but, in view of the permission granted by the Taieri County Council to allow ifree parking on the road facing the property, it was considered by the executive desirable to leave the matter in abeyance tin the meantime, and possibly later utilise the property with the view of obtaining revenue therefrom to assist the association’s finance. It was pleasing to note that happy relations existed between the association and a kindred associate that had been formed in Seaview. During the year assistance had been rendered by the association in support of some of the Seaview movements to improve ' its township and district. The Treasurer reported a credit balance. .

The election of office-bearers resulted i-L-President, Mr Robert Wales; vice-presidents—Messrs A. P. Burton, R, Runcijnan, B. Griffiths, and C. Hislop; committee —Messrs Gibbs, Lobb, Wright, Simpson, Craigie, A. Baxter, S. Smith, W. Kennedy, G. Hobbs, and F. Millier.