AN UPROARIOUS MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 56

AN UPROARIOUS MEETING.

WANGANUI RATEPAYERS REBELLIOUS. WANGANUI, June 29. The IV anganui City Council to-night enjoyed the privilege of conducting its business before a mass meeting of the ratepayers whose presence in the Council Chamber was the upshot of recent protests against the increased rates which would bring in £34.700 more than last year: Opportunity was taken to-night to present a deputation urging a reduction in the rates. The deputation consisted of two speakers. Messrs S. E. Read and W. J. Rogers, who were backed up by hundreds of ratepayers who crowded every foot of space in the large council chamber After the deputation had spoken the Mayor, * Mr Hope Gibbons, outlined the council’s policy and financial proposals. lie was subjected (o considerable heckling, and at times could not proceed owing to the uproar. The proposal to acquire Gordon Park for the city came in for particularly lively criticism. The Mayor said the purchase would involve 9£d in every £5 of rates He offered to pay that amount for any ratepayers who could not afford it. A Voice: Talk business, not charity. The meeting ended in an uproar, when the Mayor declined to permit Mr Rogers, a member of the deputation, to address the ratepayers further. After the Mayor had replied to the delegates’ remarks Mr Rogers advised the people to continue their protests against the heavy rates. The Mayor barred further discussion and asked the deputation to withdraw. There was a chorus of hoots, and cries of “resign” as the ratepayers withdrew from the Chamber.