TAWHITI RATEPAYERS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 16 September 1921, Page 8

TAWHITI RATEPAYERS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

A meeting of tbe executive of the Tawhiti Ratepayers' Association was held in the Tawhiti schoolroom last evening. Mr Lewis presided, and nearly all members were present. • The secretary■ (Mr Davis) presented a report containing official information obtained lot the purpose of assisting members when considering the question of merging with the borough. The information went to show that should Tawhiti become part of the borough it would not be responsible for rates on any borough loans existing at the time or .merging, but would ',c responsible for any special rates on lo:_ts iur improvements in Tawhiti j and it would tontinue to be responsible for tbe r*te~ on any special loan at present in existence. J?'or water and drainage .rates' ;j they would not be liable till the serI vices had been provided. Mr Lewis reported on the .esult of i an interview with the County chairman in reference tp the County Council's* intentions. Mr Murdoch was favourable to a certain amount of ' work, .which would make the street, more presentable,, but in view of the proposed merging-and works which ie alleged had prior claim on the County's funds, little could be done. Mr Levi's explained the position ir which a ratepayer would be under the loiough as compared with the Cv-wity, showing that the former wouUl be ; more advantageous.f - ' " One member of the execu.i'-e strong- ; ly opposed any action in the di.e-.t_on of merging until the assocwtfon had placed its case fully before the C.iiniy Council and had a' d .tim_e ur._m.ncet ment of: its intentions: He pointed cut that this year's rates would go ro the County Council,, and allowing that the Borough Council, |f Tawhiti joined _p, wbuld be willing to expend on the district the whole of the rates collci'ted, less administration charges and the hospital levy, it would be a vcar before any money would* be available. He

i urge 4 that an effort shaull be m-'.'e to obtain from the County Council a reasonable expenditure- <t the )a +<es collected within the di.crk.. If the County Council said that :t was entitled to take the rates from '.\ vhiti ! .and ,_expend practically the who'e of -them, "^elsewhere, it was ' taking up an untenable position. \As I-.hijs as they collected the rates they h.ida duty to the people of Tawhiti. To _ay thai money would not bie expended beeaitse Tawhiti would sooner or later merge with the borough was n.'thor l.v.r to the ratepayers or to the B-vouph Council, which would be ask id to take over neglected streets; Mr Lewis explained that il n«-'fcing should take- place during rhe ..ear a portion of the rate., collected by the County Council would go to the borough in the financial adjustment that would be made. - The general feeling of the meeting was that it was useless- to expect or hope*for-anything from the County Council, and that the ouly course ojen ' was merging with the borough. Reference was made to the huge quantities of soil and refuse that Lave been, accumulated at tho sides of Burns and Tanna Hill streets, and the necessity in the interests of safety and public health of having these reniov.d. .v Mr Lewis produced a -map showing the area it* was proposed to merge, and ai large part of tbe evening was spent in tabulating the names q\ .the owners of the different sections. Mr Lewis was authorised to consult a solicitor and arrange for the r-K luminary steps to Be* taken towards merging. Before a final decision is arrived at , a general meeting of the association will "be. called and an opportunity given to all to express their views.