RATEPAYER'S ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 April 1903, Page 2

RATEPAYER'S ASSOCIATION MEETING.

There wai a meagre attendance (about 70) at the meeting convened for last evening for the purpose of forming a Ratspayer's Association. His Worship the Mayor, who occupied the chair, was in favor of the formation of an Association. For seventeen years he had been connected with the Borough Council and during that period nothing wrong had been dona. Mr James Petrie explained that some people thought the Council were " going too fast" lately, and with the object of putting on the brake, he, along with sjveral other gentlemen, had held a meeting several weeks ago, and had decided to call this meeting for the purpose of forming " A Ratepayers' Association." The first Borough loan of £40,000 was all right. An additional £IO,OOO was needed, and the works went on and this was" swallowed.'" When another loan of £15,000 was proposed, however, a few people thought it was time to look into the matter. They found the total debt

now was £65,000, and the interest charges thereon £3,600 per annum. The gas profits were £6OO per annum (Joseph Petrie: £2,600). The purchase of the gasworks was a sound investment, but £I,OOO was needed for repairs, enlargement of plant, and overhauling of defective mains. works had cost more than the estimate. The gas and water works would be remunerative. Then, again, there was £IOOO wasted on the Band Rotunda. His figures, however, were open to correction. The speaker then showed what led up to the building of the Opera House. In four years it had made a profit of only £320. The Company paid £B4 to the Borough for rates and gas. He thought the proposed municipal building too elaborate and the lowest tender was £IO,OOO, which did not include furniture. The modified plan provided for a building of 17 rooms which he thought too large. When the Opera House did not pay he could not see how a municipal hall would pay. He held that through the extravagances there must be a further loan. All who wanted to join the Association could do so by paying 2/subscription. Be far 57 persons had joined. He concluded by moving that a "Ratepayers and Householders' Association" be formed. _ (Applause.) Mr Wm. Morris, in seconding the resolution, held the Council had been "going too fast," during the last six months in particular. For the first loan proposal he was an enthusiastic supporter, for he recognised that if the town was to go ahead people must put their hand in their own pockene. In regard to the tewn hall he though; a £SOOO hall would be ample for the next 25 years. He was not inter* ested in the Opera House, but still held the town ball out of proportion to the requirements of the town. He thought that if an association was formed it would have the result of keeping Councillors up to the scratch. He did not find fault with thepresent Council for be recognised that everyone was liable to make mistakes. In his opinion a good road could be made oa a grade over Edsson's Hill. Mr Jay had much pleasure in supporting the motion. He was disap* pointed with the poor attendance. In regard to borough finance, Mr James Petrie had given them a large quantity of information. He had not gone into the matter, and did not understan d it. Several men would be brought out and the Association intended to "go" for them. Other meetings would be held at a future date. Mr Cohen—Mr Petrie has not given the results of his investigations into the Borough books. Mr Jamss Petrie replied that he had not got time to go thoroughly into the matter.

Mr Cohen—At that rite you could not spare as much time for borough affairs as the present Councillors. Mr James Petrie explained that they could not look through the books at any time like the other Councillors. Mr Cohen—Then in reality you have brought nothing before the meeting. The Chairman then put the motion which was carried, a few dissenting. Mr James Petrie announced that Mr David Tennant had been appointed secretary and treasurer, and would be pleased to receive subscriptions. Mr Joseph Petrie said that until the resolution had baen puf, he abstained from spaakiag, as he had been informed that he would not be allowed to address the nneting on the subject. He now asked the permission of the convenors to say a f jvv word?. He was in no way opposed to the formation of such a league, but the time, just in the face of an election, seemed inopportune, fie thought; the Committee would have come before the meeting with full facts and figures, which they had been collecting during the last six weeks. Yet strange to relate the only figures quoted was a statement made that the profit from the gas works hvt year was but £GOO. Such statement was utterly ridiculous, and he failed to see how they arrived at it. The balance-sheet clearly

showed a profit of £2,600. The Committee had made no charge against the Borough Council save the very vague one of extravagance, failing, however, to quote any item. It seemed to him that Mr Jay had "let the cat out" in regard to the real object of the Association when he said that the Association would choose certain members and block vote for the ji. He did not intend to be drawn further at present as he intended to address a public meeting shortly when he would give a full account of the Borough finance. Ho contented himself for the present by saying there was not the slightest chance of any of the special rates being collected. Mr Jay sail thit he had been mistaken by Mr Joseph Petria in regard to bringing out candidate?, and " block " vote for them.

Mr Joseph Petriereplied that Mr Jay did not use the words "block vote," bat said they wanted to get as many as possible into the Association, then choose candidates and " go" for them. If that was not a block vote, he did not know what was.

The Mayor explained the various loan proposals. In regard to Easson's Hill it would bo a saving to cut through it as the material could be got from there to fill up Tidal Creek. The Council could could not get the material for filling up the creek under 4|d per load, while from Easson's Hill it would be cheaper. Mr Skoglund said he must explain matters in regard to the information given. When they applied to the Borough Council to examine the books the Council replied that they could see the books during office hours—-i.e., from 10 to 12 and 2 to 4—which, of course, was the busiest time of the day for business men. The Borough Council were afraid to let them examine the books in

case they might expese the last four year's transactions. The extravagances of the Borough were going too far and the "brake " must be put on. Mr Joseph Petrie said that when the Committee applied to the Borough, they asked that Mr Lord and Mr ,Warnes take out statements for them, and the Borough would have to had paid them overtime. The Act said that the boots of the Council could bo examined by any ra:epayers during office hours, and Mr J Lord had offered to stay after office hours, but fie Council refused to allow it- officers to prepare a special report for the committee. Mr Parfitt was of the opinion that a clearer balance»sbeet should be issued. Tho balance-sheet was very difficult to make out.

The Mayor explained that the balance was set out as provided by law, If in any other form the Audit Department would refuse to certify same. Mr Skoglund said he would explain how Mr James Petrie arrived at the conclusion that the profit from the Gas Works was £GOO, The aocount showed that the amonnt £6OO had been transferred to sinking fund account, but the other figures of course indicated a very much larger profit. The price of gas must be reduced, as it was not fair for the gas consumers to pay for the interest en the loans. When the gas was reduced, th»ra would be no money to pay the interest and sinking fund and, of course, extra taxation would be necessary. When the Council put the proposal to buy the Gas Works, they stated the prica would be reduced.

Mr Morris said he was the largest consumer of gas in the town, paying £3 per week. It was not fair for him to pay his own and other ratepayers shave of interest and sinking fund, because he was a consumer of gas. Mr Matheson quite Bgreed that the price of gas must be reduced. The Council did not, however, promise a redustion in the price when they bought the gas works as it was distinctly stated that the profit on the gas would be sufficient to provide interest and sinking fund on the loan. Mr Cohen asked Mr Skoglund if the Borough affairs were in such a state why he did not go th'roughly into the jtnatter and give results to the meeting. Mr Skoglund said it would take 14 solid days to go thoroughly through the accounts. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting. '