MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT ONEHUNGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9087, 22 June 1888, Page 5

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT ONEHUNGA.

A meeting of the Onehunga ratepayers was held in the Public Hall last night, to consider the best means of meeting the remaining liabilities in connection with the waterworks. The (Dr. VV. R. Erson) occupied the chair, and explained the situation. He would ask any persons present if they had a scheme out of the difficulty. If they had the Council would gladly accept such scheme. They hnd no secrets to hide ; the facts, unfortunately, were too clear. One way out of the difficulty was by pledging a special rate of 3d in the £ to borrow £'2000, and if that course was adopted then a 6d rate would be ample to meet the requirements of the town. It had been said that once pledgo a special rate, and the Council can raise it to any sum they wish. Ho had inquired of the borough solicitors, and was informed in the document which he held in his hand that a special rate cannot be struck without the consent of the ratepayers, and further, that if once the Council pledges a special rate to borrow for a certain work, they cannot increase that rate without gotting the consent of the ratepayers anew. That should bo clear enough to the meeting, and if they decided in favour of borrowng, then the term of the loan could extend over twenty years, and those who came after thorn would pay a portion of tho sum for the luxury. It was the duty of overy person, favourable or otherwiso to the water scheme, to put party feeling asido and clear the town of its unfortunate position. Mr. Robb moved, " That this mooting protests against the Council levying the proposed rate of Is 9d in the £ until a proper estimate is brought forward, and considered by the Council/" and, " That tho meeting censures the Mayor and Councillors Clark, Hills, and Rowe for attempting to levy such rates." Mr. Kemp seconded the motion. Mr. Yatea came forward greatly excited, and amid great interruption, addressed the meeting. He accused the Council of bringing in a bogus estimate, for the purpose of inducing them to sanction a loan of £2000, which, in. his opinion, was done only for the purpose of securing a loan of £6000, which was already procured. Mr. Jackson said he need not speak to the motion, as happily ho was not included. He then referred to the accusations made by Mr. Yates against the Council. Mr. Sullivan attacked the Council on bheir past actions, and declared thab if the motion was defeated that night they would make a house-to-house canvass, and get a petition to the Council calling on them to resign. The Council had paid £330 compensation. (A voice: You're the cause.) Well, there were some asses in tho community. (Voices: You're one.) The Mayor, in replying to the former speaker, said that there was not one word dropped from them how the difficulty could be gob over, and he was surprised at it. Hβ then put tho motion, and only six hands were held up in favour of it, while a forest of hands opposed it. Mr. Goldsbury moved, "Thab a further sura of £2000 be borrowed to liquidate the remaining liabilities of the waterworks contract." Mr. Tole seconded tho motion. In putting the motion, the Mayor appealed bo bhe people to sanction the proposal, and on taking a show of hands, 66 were held up in favour of the motion, while 10 hands were againsb ib. The motion was declared carried. A vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding terminated bhe proceedings.