AUCKLAND RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11373, 16 May 1900, Page 7

AUCKLAND RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION.

♦ A meeting of the executive of the Auckland Ratepayers' Association was held last night at tho Alexandra-street schoolroom, ; Mr. Craves Aickin, president, 'was in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Anonymous Correspondence: Several letters, some unsigned, and others without any '. address, baring reference to the city valua- '. tions, were laid on the table, but not discussed, as the association could not tell where to reply to the senders. Resignation: The resignation of Mr. G. • Plummet*, ono of the Ponsonby members, was received with regret, and it was decided to '. thank him for his services in the past. Tho appointment of a successor was left in the hands of the two other Ponsonby members. Affiliation: When Mr. F. J. Kenderdine, - the secretary, was in Wellington recently, he visited the Ratepayers' Association there. A letter was now read from tho Wellington Association, congratulating tho Auckland Association upon the work it had done and was doing. Mr. Aickin said ho thought it would be a good idea if tho associations in Auckland, Wellington, Ohristchurch, Dunedin, and anywhere else that they existed, were to affiliate, in order to unify the rules and exchange ideas as to municipal reforms where the interests were identical. It would help on the work greatly. Upon his motion, it was ! agreed that tho secretary communicate with the Southern associations on the matter. Munioipal Reform: A lengthy communication was read from Mr. John. Mitchell on i the question of municipal government and re- ' form. He advocated, among other matters, ' rating on tho unimproved land values, good , water supply, complete drainage system, so- ] curing a, rubbish destructor, making a night- 1 soil and dust services universal and compul- • spry, and many other reforms. The associa-, ' tion agreed to express its hearty thanks for the able paper. ; Unnecessary Alarm: Mr. Aickin referred to I tho unfounded alarm that was occasioned in ' Auckland in connection with tho case of tho ! rat-bitten boy, and said it, was greatly to bo ( regretted that the Governor and the Pro- < mier had lent themselves to the matter as i thoy did. No doubt they acted with the ' best motives, but lie did not think the methods ! they used wero the best under tho circum- . stances. Instead of the Premier going per- ] sonally to the Council and addressing tho ' members, it would have been better had ho • placed Ilia views before them by letter. Mr. : J. A. Haslott said that during tho past two months a great deal of abuse had been heaped > upon tho Mayor (Mr. David Goldie), but , really he was about the only man who had ' not lost his head during the scare. He had ; really been working very hard and very sensibly, and tho association should express its appreciation of that good work. Upon tho motion of Mr. Haslett, seconded by Mr. A. Bell, the executive unanimously resolved to express to His Worship its acknowledgment of, and entire confidence in, tho work he had done in this connection. Rating Powers: Mr. Aickin gave notice of his intention to move at next meeting:—l. "That in view ot many necessary improvements projected for the benefit of the municipality, wo are of opinion that tho time has now arrived when tho legal restrictions limiting tho rating power of tho Council to 2s in the £ bo reconsidered." 2. "That in the opinion of this association the principle of special rates for special works should bo extended, subject always to tho usual sanction by vote of the ratepayers." He explained that it did not nocossarilv moan that the rate? would bo inoroased. While Auckland's seourity was tho best in tho colony, tho fact of tho rating power boin? limited to 2s caused false doubts in the minds of some as to the securities, and that was why the last loan was so difficult to raise.