RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13811, 26 January 1907, Page 5

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION

THE WAIPORI WORKS.

The regular meeting of the Executive of tho Ratepayers Association, hold in the Palace- Hotel Jast evening, was presided over by Mr A. Megget. There were twelvo other members nresent.

Tho Chairman ssiitl that as far as could DO gathered the state of affairs in respect of tho Waipori works seemed to be dreadful. Sometliiflg like £56,000 was tho estimate of tho cost of finishing the works vLa way Bueh ' and lie understood about £07,000 had -been expended up to the present. A3 tho elections vrero coming on ho considered that tho association should have something to aay on tho matter. It was time that the ratepayers should be furnished with statements "to show how lungs were going. At the previous night'smeeting of tho council a committee had' teen ee.t un to deal wjth the matter, but this was practically the same as the old one. Ho hoped they would havo councillors returned who would insist on statements bemg supplied from t-irno to time. Mr P. Duncan, referring to the Waipori works, said that it struct him upon reatlin? press reports that few of the city councillors were aware of details to assist them in coming to a conclusion, and ho thought more tlun passing reference should bo miKio to tho fact. The association at any rate had some "trained imagination" in res?Sr *?. theso 'things. They could eco where difficulties wore likely to arise, awl they know tho salient points of such a scheme. He considered it was a pity that tho committeo Of tho association was not allowed to make any investigation that it wished in regard to the agreement. When tho committee (of which ho was a member) went to the council seven months ago and a.sked to bo allowed to examine into the matter, they wore courteously received and referred to the act and all that sort of nonsense. They were decidedly discouraged m their efforts to obtain information. If their overtures had been properly received some of tho present difficulties] ho felt euro would not have arisen. '

The Chairman said that on May 25 last a committee had been.set up to obtain oarhculars as to tlio entire arrangement, and a cony of the agreement rclativo to the works, reticulation, etc. - Mr Duncan eaid it was seven months after the attempt made by the committee that the council commenced to find out that something was wrong. The Chairman expressed displeasure in regard to the committee to whom the matter had been delegated by the council. The. .Tramways and Electric "Lighting and Power Committee were to criticise and investigate their own work, and ho objected to that.

Mr Duncan said tlfe Mayor had referred to the'terms of the agreement between the City Council and Messrs Noyes Bros, as being extraordinary, and perhaps .unparalleled in the history of the municipal works. He stated further that the thing had been done with the full knowledge of the council. The sneaker could not understand tho saving grace of the latter statement. And this was tho agreement the association committee wished io see seven months ago. Mr Duncan went on to refer to the expenditure of £8000 for the "feeder" system (which was at present being carried out in tho streets) and so that this matter, about which very little apparently was known, had been questioned and referred to tho Power. and Lighting Committee, but when a councillor asked what had been done in regard to tho matter, the gentleman in ehargo of the committee liad replied to the effect that they would mako inquiries when they thought fit. That had been tho last heard of a matter upon which tho town clerk had prepared a minute stating that nothing was Known about it, but the money was wanted. He could not understand why tho matter had not been investigated at tho time.

Mr Connor said lie thought the town clerk had prepared a miuuto regarding an agreement in March, in which bo would not hold himself responsible for anything that occurred in-respect of it. Tho whole thing was u terrible mix up. Ho did not think that the committee would have been refused permission to make a copy of the agreement if they had approached tho town clerk.

Several members: We were refused. After further discussion the matter lapsed. It was resolved to hold the annual meeting on Wednesday, next.

The annual report submitted to be presented to the annual meeting was read by the secretary and approved The report stated that the year just closed lias witnessed .a great revival in publio interest in Harbour Hoard affaire. The monster gi>thcrin« held under the auspices of ail the publio bodies in the city and provincial district amply t&tify Mio universal opinion that the successful development of the Port of Duncdin and the general prosperity of the- provincial district act and react upon ono another. Tho vnry complete arrangements carried out, and etitl being developed by the committee in charge of tho Harbour Board's protest, enabled the whole community to obtain a complete knowledge of tho Harbour Board's development from its foundation. The progress of tho labours of that committee are closely followed, and appreciated by citizens and country resident aliko, for on this matter their interests are at one. Several times during ihe year agitation has been made for reduction in tram tares. Tho question was fully discussed and considered by the executive, but they came to tho conclusion that the lime was not yet opportune for any change. Tho executive feel confidence in the City Council , !! dealing with this and other matters connected with tho tramways under the very capable management of Mr Alexander, whose appointment has been productive of much satisfaction. It is gratifying to learn that there are indications (hut tho tramway revenue shows such improvement as to warrant the assura-nco of ihe Tramways Committee- that tho service has now turned tho tide financially. Good management hae no doubt helped materially in bringing this about. Several others matters of interest connected with the Cfty Corporation were considered by tha eiecu-

Waipori Electrical Construction.—The executive at the close of the discussion upon tlw tramways construction commiwiou payment resolved that a full report should lie prepared ((or public information) upon the actual position of tho arrangements made for construction of these works, the relative status of the corporation ami those to whom the construction had been entrasted, and the remuneration agreed by the corporation to be paid for services rendered in such construction. In view of the differences of opinion which occurred, in connection with the tramways construction commission account, and' which the committee thought would never have occurred if a. complete and clear statement of the position had been before the council and the public in proper time, rlio executive considered it .would be in tho best interests of ratepayers that such n report as indicated should be prepared, and a. committee was accordingly appointed to collect tho necessary information. That committee entered upon its work of investigation. Several communications were made to the town clerk, and several conferences wore held with that officer; but, while tho committee were received villi every proper courtesy, it was mado manifest "that tho information asked for would not bo furnished. Tho matter has sincoV stood in abeyance, but tho committee still considers that it will ho .in tho best interests of tho citizens that the matters referred to should bo placed within the knowledge of the association, and au effort will be made at an early dam to place the exact position clearly before ratepayers. Drainage lioard.-fhe executive is glad to bo able lo report that tho amending act passed last (session contains several important modifications, which are calculated to improve the stains ot tho hoard and its relation to the ratepayers. The new set of the hoard's bye-laws, which are now in draft, will shortly be considered by a, committee of the executive, who will approach the board upon any amendments which it may appear advisable to submit to tho board for consideration. No apology need bo offered for the existence of eucli an association as this, and its earnest endeavours to foster public interest and to create publio opinion in municipal matters are deserving of encouragement and tolerant sympathy.