ANTI-AMALGAMATION.

Southland Times, Issue 14370, 17 March 1910, Page 6

ANTI-AMALGAMATION.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, payers’ Association's meeting the chairman gave his opinion that perhaps it would be better to withhold the counter petition as the ratepayers’ apathy was so great that only live of them attended to discuss the matter. That was hardly a fair way to put it, seeing that the meeting was called for 7.30 p.m. and I went down at that lime and no one about. I then went to one of the neighbours to inquire if the meeting was put off. I came back and waited till after 8 p.m., and then went away. On the road both myself and Mr Stewart met Air Griffith near Appleby station, so it was not possible for the meeting to be started before 8.15, and on such a night it was not right‘that people should be kept standing about for 45 minutes past the advertised time. I ask where in this case was the apathy shown ? Now as regards the lapsed motion put by Air A. McMillan, I am not aware that either himself or the chairman has done anything towards taking round the petitions for signatures, neither do either of those gentlemen live or hold property in the part proposed to be included, so 1 maintain that it was out of place for Air AlcMlllan to try to stop the petition from being forwarded. As the charge of general apatiiy rests on those who worked as well as those that did not, .1 may state that more than tiro months ago petitions were authorised to be got ready and more than one volunteered to take them round, yet they have never been got ready yet, so that it can be seen where some of the apatiiy comes from. Why Air A. McAlillan was mentioned as one who could take a petition round. the district where lie lives, and he did not object. The petition was advertised on the 9th of this month. A special meeting should have been called at once, the Chairman- being authorised to call one whenever lie thought necessary ; yet nothing was done by the Executive, anti if apathy is shown by the Executive what may one expect from the general body of ratepayers. Now, Sir, after the opinion given by the chairman, ami Air McMillan I for one do not think it would be judicious to put the petition in their hands seeing the opinions they hold, coupled witli the facts Unit they have no interest in that’ portion and have done nothing towards getting the petitions signed. 1 write these few linos to let the ratepayers know something of the trend of affairs, and that as far as t can 1 will see that the petitions will go and, if you will allow me, to inform all and sundry that botli myself and Mr Stewart, of Appleby, will receive any objections to the proposal, and also that if any ratepayer does not care to sign a petition they can object by letter addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Wellington, such letters being away from Invercargill not later than the 2(s tli March. — I am, etc., W. C. GRAY.