ROXBURGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23204, 31 May 1937, Page 16

ROXBURGH

Ratepayers' Meeting A largely attended meeting of ratepayers of the borough of Roxburgh was held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening. The Deputy Mayor (Mr H. Henderson) presided. The proposed sewerage scheme for the borough, a poll for which will be taken on June 10, was explained in detail by the chairman of works (Mr T. Waigth). The estimated cost of the work is £5500, and/in addition to this, £2OOO is being borrowed to afford assistance to householders in the installation of the new system. The scheme had the approval of the Health Department, and if the ratepayers supported the loan proposal it was hoped to have it in operation within 18 months. A small rate would be charged in addition to the present sanitation charge of 30s per year. This would be 4d, and would mean a maximum charge of 46s 8d per annum on a residential installation. In most cases it would be less, the amounts varying according to each ratepayer's valuation. The meeting was unanimously in favour of the scheme, and a vote of appreciation of the council's enterprise in preparing it was carried. The chairman then introduced the subject of the absorption of the borough into the county that would be created by the amalgamation of the counties of Tuapeka, Clutha and Bruce. The meeting expressed its strong disapproval of the proposal. En expressing appreciation of the services of the council the members of which had given much time and service in making the borough a model one, the opinion was expressed that to hand over control to a county council on v/hich it is probable the- district would not have a representative would be a retrograde step resulting in the neglect of the town's amenities. The following motion was carried unanimously:— That this meeting of ratepayers of the borough of Roxburgh records its opposition to any legislative enactment by which the borough would be deprived of its status as a local body, and directs that a petition be circulated for signalu:e by residents asking that a referendum be taken on the proposal.