RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11365, 11 October 1917, Page 8

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

RE-FORMED IN MARTON. There were only sixteen present at the ratepayers and electors meeting, convened by Mr J. F. Sicely, last evening. Mr Sicely took the chair and opened the meeting by a short discourse on the old waterworks dam. A plan of the dam was on view and the speaker explained the improvements proposed by him some years ago, and compared them with the new dam, which he condemned. Mr Sicely had advised Mr Beckett, who was Mayor at the time, to sell the dam. The present Uouncii were going to 'spend more money on the work ana could ikeep on spending. The dam would 6jj.1l be useless. The Maj’or at Ibis point interrupted the speaker and asked if it would hat be advisable to form the Association first and discuss Council matters after

Mr Bicely explained that as there were only a few present it would be better to let them know how they were being fleeced. They could then tell their friends and many others would become memnera. Another matter Mr Sicely brought before the meeting was gas affairs, alleging that a great loss took place. When on the Council he had moved In the direction of reducing this loss. The matter was left “in the hands of the gas rffanager, who reported against it. Mr Hunter asked Mr Sicely' if he conld give figures in oompansn with with Marton. If not it was unfair to bring this matter op. In every town there was an unavoidable loss of gas. Mr Sicely also referred to the gas discount day, and the price of gas and hoped the Councillors present would take the hint and do something to reduce the cost of gas. In reference to the £SOOO street loan, he conidered a committee should be formed to enquire as to what £3500 had been spent on, and what was to be done with £ISOO balance. The sewerage sytsem also came in for discussion. Mr Armstrong said that Mr Sicely bad occupied an hour in explanations and asked that the matter of forming the Association be gone on with. Mr Sicely said that Mr F. Brice had asked him to suggest to the meeting that the Council should be approached regarding the bringing into the town the business of the employees of the Kakariki Freezing Works. The Mayor brought up the matter of the hydro-electric scheme and saidt hat the Council had practically turned it down. Both Ors. Bush and Hunter disputed this. Cr. Bush explained that the Council did not think that at this early stage of the scheme that it would be advisable to expend money on sending to Wellington a representative tor the Conference. Cr, Bush defended the Council on many points. Many of the faults brought up by Mr Sicely were the work of old Councils, He was surprised that Mr Sicely should have brought up these matters, having stood on the Council himself in the past. Mr T, Armstrong moved that this meeting resolve itself into a Municipal Ratepayers’ and Electora’Assooiation. Mr J. W. Wilson seconded and the motion was carried. It was decided to adjonrn until next Thursday, October 18th, to appoint a committee.