ADDRESS BY MR. LOW

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4638, 11 May 1938, Page 5

ADDRESS BY MR. LOW

FREEHOLDING QUESTION VITAL. SEALING OF STREETS. The urgent need for the lifting of the burden imposed on the town by means of a reduction of the existing freehold values was stressed by Mr. K. W. -Low at a meeting held in the Ritz last evening. The Mayor, Mr. T. Carroll, was in the chair, and Mr. Low stated that he very much appreciated the fact that Mr. Carroll at his last public appearance had consented to act as chairman of his meeting. Mr. Carroll was retiring from public life, after many years of service, with the esteem of everyone in the town. "This freeholding question is the most vital problem confronting Te Kuiti at the present time," said Mr. Low, "and until the values are reduced the town will not progress.

"One hundred and thirty-eight sections in the town have already reverted to the Crown, including 400 feet of frontage in Rora Street, and from these sections no rates are being received. This state of affairs means that 561 ratepayers are paying for everything that is being done in the town.

"The question of the water supply, in my opinion, hinges on the freeholding problem," he continued. "I do not think that anything should be done in the matter until the burden of rates is adjusted so that it does not fall too heavily on a few. Mr. Low gave an instance of a man who owns four or five shops in Rora Street. At the present time he is paying £l3O in rates and if the water proposals were carried out, it would increase this sum by 35 per cent. With regard to the roading question, Mr. Low said he was in favour of sealing the roads by way of loan. Last year the Borough Council had shown a surplus of £SOO, and this sum would pay interest and sinking fund on a loan of £SOOO, which would enable 3% miles of the principal streets of the Borough to be sealed without costing the ratepayers a penny. It was futile to attempt this work out of revenue as it would take three years to seal a mile of road. Mr. Low said he was very surprised that criticism was levelled at the proposed cement works by the present Council. The company had £SOOO in cash available, but it was considered that in spending this sum they should have some exclusive rights, which the Council refused to grant. However, Mr. Low stated that he was confident that negotiations could yet be reopened.

Mr. Low said that he wished it to be definitely known that, despite rumours, he had not joined any political party. He would despise to curry favour with any section of the electors by so doing. At the conclusion of the meetingMr. Low proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. Carroll. In response, Mr. Carroll said that this was his last appearance in public life, and he desired to take this opportunity of thanking the residents, both on behalf of himself and Mrs. Carroll, for the kindness and courtesy extended them during his term of office as Mayor.