RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9002, 15 March 1888, Page 6

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

I An adjourned meeting of ratepayers interested in forming a Ratepayers' Association, was held last evening in Mills' Hall, Dock-street, Freeman's Bay. There was a rather thin attendance, and Mr. Robert Farrell was called to the chair. He explained that this was an adjourned meeting to receive the report of the committee appointed to frame rules, &c. The Secretary pro tem. (Mr. Henry Phillips) explained that only five members of the committee met on Saturday to frame the rules, but he had no doubt the meeting would find them lucid enough. He then read the rules framed, and explained them as he proceeded. The rules stated that the object of the association was for the benefit of ratepayers and property-owners in the city, and seeing to the economical expenditure of its revenues ; the society to consist of ratepayers and property-owners willing to assist in the objects of the association, and the payment to be at least 2s per annum to the funds; the executive to consist of a president, treasurer, and secretary, and a committee of twelve, two from < \ch ward, to be elected annually in the first week of February, five to form a quorum, and that all meetings be conducted by the ordinary rules of debate, the chairman to have one vote only. The platform of the association was that the executive should ascertain whether the present official staff of the Council was excessive or otherwise, to obtain the fullest information as to the hours worked by the officials and servants in the various departments, and ascertain if they were overpaid or otherwise ; to ascertain the extent of the city endowments, how they were let or leased, the amount of revenue received from them separately, and how expended; to authorise the Auditor-General, in accordance with section 176 of the Municipal Corporations Act, to take action in every case where they considered money had been illegally spent, thus saving the individual ratepayer from having to take action himself ; to obtain information regarding the present system of obtaining the water used by the city, and whether it is contaminated by the city sewerage ; to ascertain the revenue and expenditure of the present water rate, and whether it was legitimately used, and if found excessive, to see what steps can be taken to obtain a reduction in the present, rate and charge ; to obtain all information as to the expenditure of the Charitable Aid Board, as a poor rate had been threatened ; and to resist by every lawful means any further increase of taxation. The Chairman* said it now rested with the meeting to say whether or not it would be wise to proceed with the business, seeing there was such a small attendance, but he hoped that if they discussed the rules, thev would be as brief as possible. Mr. Page moved that they proceed at once to form the association, and proceed to discuss the rules. Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. Mr. John Rule thought it would be advisable to adjourn this meeting, and to have a large and more representative meeting, and in the event of a larger number not attending, they should let it drop. It was manifest that there was a great deal of apathy shown by the public, and he suggested they should adjourn for a fortnight. Mr. F. JEI'NE seconded the amendment. Mr. Otto and Mr. Phillips opposed the adjournment, and urged that they should proceed at once to lay the foundation of the association, and adopt rules. The amendment was then put and lost, six voting for it, and eight against. The motion was carried. The clauses of the report were then read seriatim and discussed. There was a good deal of discussion, as to the amount to be paid by members. The committee recommended 2s per annum ; to this two amendments were proposed, one being; that the levy be Is a-year, and the other that it be Is aquarter. Both amendments were lost, and the levy was fixed at not less than 2s per annum. Several suggestions were made as to the platform of the association. A clause was added that it be the duty of the association to see that the city expenditure was kept -within the income, and that steps ibe taken to secure a fair valuation. The | rejKirt was adopted as a whole. I The election of president, officers, and committee was deferred, the existing committee being empowered in the meantime to continue to act. Messrs. Farrell and Rule declined to act further on the committee, although willing to give what assistance they could.