GAS FOR THE HUTT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 11

GAS FOR THE HUTT.

MEETING OE RATEPAYERS. SEPARATE WORKS MOVEMENT CONDEMNED. (From Our Resident Reporter), About lour bunded Lower Hutt ratepayers attended a meeting held last evening to consider tho question of gas vsuppiy for tho borough. On the motion of Captain T. W, AicDonald, Mr E. P. Bunny, convener of the meeting, was voted to tho chair.

Air Runny, who was received with applause, said it was with diffidence he Mad taken up tho position, so unusual for him, of a prominent part in public mailers, but it had become apparent that somebody should move. It vt-rs an old principle that before ratepayers could be commuted to any undertaking requiring a large sum of money their sanction must first bo obtained. (Applause.) Not only was It a principle, but lie believed ho could show that it was the law of tiro land. (Applause.) The understanding upon which tho loan of oCH,OOt) wa« sanctioned in 11*36 was that the allotted for the construction of gasworks should not be called up unless through failure to como to an agreement with Petone. On the strength of that undertaking tho ratepayers voted for tho loan, 110 had tiio strongest evidence that tho item of tho TMoflu had been tacitly abandoned by tho Council; that the authority to raise the sum had lapsed. Mr Bunny quoted from the statement of loans in last year's balanco-shcot to show that tho loan in question was set down as a «£ft>oo loan, notwithstanding that hr3ooo had been raised, ilo road other figures to show that loans were always denoted by quoting tho amount authorised, not amount raised. The Council proponed to commit tho ratepayers to an immediate expenditure ot d£ooo and a prospective expenditure very much greater, and for that purpose proposed to revive an alleged authority which in any case vros good for only «£4jOO. How did they propose to raise the remainder? By means of an overdraft. That had nothing to do with tho ratepayers—they would bo consulted when it became necessary to pay off the overdraft! He held that such an action, would amount to a distinct breach, and was moreover illegal. (Applause). The out-and-out supporters of tho proposal 'in the Council had been tho Mayor and Councillors Baldwin, Judd, O'Sullivan and Wildsmiih. Councillors Russell, Ward, Ross, Hughes and Hedging had either opposed tho proposal o-r had advocated it being placed before tho ratepayers. It would thus require the casting vote of the Mayor to carry tho prpoosai at a full meeting. Mr Bunny proceeded to qnot© the Loans to Local Bodies Act to prove the illegality of the proposed course. He asked Councillors to conBicler whether they were not making themselves liable to tho penalty not exceeding cCIOO each provided in cases where a local authority ignored the provisions of the Act. In New Plymouth «-similar course had been adopted in £l*i "rl i 0 ratepayers came to the rescue or the Council and authorised tho loan, but the lending institution refused to grant, it on tho ground that the debt had been improperly incurred. A Validating Bill had to bo presented to Parhamont. Ur Bird! at tho last meeting or tho Council hml not encouraged the project. (Councillor Ward: Question.) The Petono Council had acted mth extraovdiuary liliorality. He appoalod to those present to demand that tho Council should consult tho ratepayers. This tob not the time tor experiments. Their rates were (joinp up, and the valuations were absurdly high. If they were to attract population they must havo cheap living, and must cut down expenditure. A great deal of tins notitious valuation would have to como down. (Hear, hear). Cnntiiin McDonald maintained that it wag tho duty ot the ratepayers to see that the Council s proposed course was not sanctioned for a moment, hut that its obligations to tho ratepayers should be wholly observed. He moved:—

That this meeting is of opinion that the proposal of the Hutt Borough Council to construct gasworks without taking a poll is a bread! of its duty to tho ratepayers and prohibited by law; and that tho Council bo requested to revoke its resolution, or submit tbo proposal to the ratepayers; or in the alternative to accept the offer of tho Petono Borough Council. That if the Council proceeds without adopting cither of these courses, legal means be taken to restrain the Council by injunction.

Mr Lun-don seconded the resolution. Councillors Baldwin, Ward, Koss the Mayor, and Messrs Reid and Clere’took part in the ensuing discussion, which at times was very lively. The resolution was carried with ono dissentient.