RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1913, Page 3

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The fortnightly meeting of the Whangarei Municipal Association was held in the Parochial Hall last night. Present: —Messrs Teague, Pearce, Hutchings. Teller, Jackson, Baker, Green, and Griffin. Mr Jackson explained that the A. and P. Association's application for a remission of rates was the outcome o; the council, taking stone from the Park free of royalty, in consideration for a remission of a certain portion of the rates, when such became due. THE MAYORALTY. Mr Tibbetts reported that Mr D. W. Jack had declined to accept nomination for the position of Mayor, on account of his not at present having sufficient time to devote to the position. Mr Teague considered that if Mr Jack had the interests of the As.s> ciatiou at heart, he would have notified them when the subject was first mooted, so as to give them an opportunity to look out for another candidate. NEW MEMBERS. Mr W. R: Field was elected a member of the Association. Mr Hutchings impressed on members the necessity of strengthening the Association by each member inducing others to join. ROAD ROLLER. Mr Pearce referred to the accident to the road roller. He said it was a scandalous affair to send work away' to Price's foundry for repairs when the work could be done by the Whangarei Engineering Company. The repairs would cost anything up to i;.jO, whereas if the EngineeringCompany were given an opportunity, they could have put the engine at 'work on the voad in 24 hours at a cost of .£lO or under, and would then j have wired to the firm who made the engine and had a new casting landed in Whangarei free. Mr Jackson said he protested against the action in the council, and appealed to the Press for confirmation Mr Robertshaw replied that Mi Jackson had not done so, a'.i'l roust know that what he said was fin absolute falsehood, as the quesfon wis discussed in committee, and the o;i>y thing mentioned in open council was the "Mayor asking that his action be endorsed, and it was unanimously agreed that this be done. Mr Jackson: "I apologise to the Press.' , Mr Pearce said the action of the Mayor was a distinct •'slap in the face' , for the local firm, who were capable of dealing with this work. If the work was done by the Engineering Company in 24 hours a lot of time would have been saved besides expense. They would also have guaranteed the work. CONDOLENCE. j It was resolved that the Association j extend its sympathy to the relatives i OL the late Mr E. A. Hutchings in their; recent bereavement.