RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 3, 19 June 1946, Page 7

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION

SUMMARY OF WORK DONE • : IMPORTANT DISCUSSION About 2 5 members, including half-a-dozen women, attended a meeting of the Lower Hutt Ratepayers' Association on Monday night. Mr. C. H. Hain, president, occupied the chair. The chairman gave a summary of the work done by the executive, including activities in connection with the rating system, civic . centre scheme, bus service, temporary build ings, Waiwhetu stream clearing, town clock, the necessity of important business being conducted in open Council, street crossings, and other important matters. The chairman reported that Mr. J. B. Maunder had prepared a scheme for buses to go through High Street, difficulties being met by a system of "staggered" stops. - This was put before the Council, which had not been impressed, and the bus position remained as was seen. Regarding plans for the lay-out of the city the Ratepayers' Association thought that the problems of the civic centre, increased, shopping areas and transport were all one problem, and should be treated in one big comprehensive scheme. Shortage of Power Mr. N. Croft brought up the question' of the shortage of power. New Zealand had developed so much in the last eight or nine years, he said, that it had outstripped the power supply, and he thought they would have to put up with the.present position for at least a year. One reason for the shortage of power was that the Lake Waikaremoana scheme had been put aside for three years. Mr. B. Matthews considered it unfair that Auckland, which used onethird of the power available, had had no cuts. He thought that Hutt residents should protest against the power cuts. Why were the, street lights put on at 4.30 p.m., and a ciit made just when housewives were preparing the evening meal? Golden Opportunity A ratepayer, referring to the electrification of railways in the Hutt Valley, stated that there was a golden opportunity to have a station erected in the centre of the city. It was essential that all transport services should feed the commercial centre of the city, otherwise with the quick service provided there Avas a danger of people doing their shopping in Wellington. Mr. W. R. Birks thought that Lower Hutt was suffering from inadequate planning and zones were being constantly changed. A complete plan, covering developments for many years ahead, should be submitted to the Town Planning Board and then gone on with. New Rating System The new city rating system was discussed at (length 'and several members stated that the Association had supported the change on the understanding that the rates WOUld be reduced. If the rates were raised the Association would be criticised. The chairman pointed out that until the Court of Appeal's decision was given regarding the validity of the change in systems they could not say what the rate would be. The ward system of representation on the executive was discussed, but no action was taken.