STOKES VALLEY RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 30, 18 December 1930, Page 6

STOKES VALLEY RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

A public meeting under the auspices of the above Association was held in the Stokes Valley School on Saturday night last, the object being to consider the question of forming a Town Board. It was evident that the subject had aroused a good deal of attention, there being a very large attendance despite the unpleasant weather conditions. The President, Mr. A. C. Dickson, opened the proceedings by stating that the Ratepayers' Association had discussed tie matter at their executive meetings and considered that the best way to decide,the matter would be to call a public meeting and let the matter be thrashed out there. Mr. P. Wheater then formally moved that the ratepayers withdraw from the Epuni Biding and form a Town Board. Mr. A. J. White seconded the motion and briefly outlined the conditions under which a Town Board could be # formed. , !

It was soon evident that there was a strong opposition to the proposal and after an. animated discussion the motion wub withdrawn and a motion that the matter be reconsidered in twelve months' time was defeated. The general feeling of the meeting appeared to be that one solid body could better represent the interests of the district than the present wo. Mr. Wakelin's motion to the effect that the present Associations consider the question of disbanding and forming one Association to carry on their work, was carried unanimously. During the meeting Mr White said that the amount deducted by the county in other districts for administration purposes was 30 per cent but by some peculiar twist 43$ per cent was deducted from Stokes Valley ratesij The rates collected from the, Valley amounted to £310 buf^of this £135 was "dead" loss, lowing to that deduction. i In regard to Mr White's statement that differentiation is shown in administrative charges, Hutt County authori-

ties state this is entirely incorrect, he same percentage is taken from all parts of Epuni Biding and also all ridings of the Hntt County. Administrative charges is hardly a correct term as the amount stated, £135, includes contribution to Taita Cenetery, Wellington Water Supply Board (which vitally con cerns Stokes Valley), Contribution to new Hutt Bridge, Free Ambulance, Contribution to Main Roads and also proportion of maintenance Hutt Road and Day's Bay Toad and many other charges of like nature. Actual administrative charges were: In 1925-1926, 10 per cent;"in 192^1927, 7§ per cent; present, 74 per cent. >So that the amount descrifbed as "dead" would only be for Stokes Valley' approximately'£9s. - ,