WAVERLEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 146, 22 June 1937, Page 3

WAVERLEY

RATEPAYERS’ MEETING A meeting o£ the county ratepayers of the Waverley and surrounding districts was held in the supper-room of the Town Hall on Friday evening, when there was a fairly representative attendance. Mr. O. Hawken was voted to tnc chair. Mr. W. G. Belton (Patea County chairman) was present, also Councillors W. H. Watkins, C. Campbell, A. G- Gibbs and Back.

Mr. Belton outlined the proposals of the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, regarding the amalgamation of local bodies, and expressed the opinion of the council that if the Patea County were merged with other counties it would not be in

the best interests of the ratepayers. It would result in a loss of community of interest with no compensating factors. Mr. Belton referred to the apparently conflicting policies of the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Internal Affairs. While the former had taken over the control of 12,000 miles of main roads and had announced that eventually the Public Works Department would take control of further roads, the Minister of Internal Affairs had stated that it was the intention of the Government to enlarge the scope of public bodies. He .also outlined the progress of the county, stating that before the Main Highways Act came into force the council had spent over £30,000 on the formation and sealing of Ihe main road, as much as halt of the rate revenue having been spent in some years on this work. Mr. Belton referred to the council’s policy in carrying out. construction work on roads without raising loans for the purpose and stated that in the past few years 100 miles of roads had been metalled in the county out of revenue. As an indication of the effectiveness of this policy he remarked that the county had spent 81.4 per cent, of last year’s revenue on roads and bridges. Hospital levy accounted for 5.6 per cent., loan interest and principal repayments 2.9 per cent., administration costs 4.4 per cent., and other items 5.7 per cent, of the total revenue. As the council felt that the amalgamation proposals vitally effected the ratepayers it sought their opinion on the matter. The council’s only concern in the matter was how it. would affect the ratepayers and for this reason it had proposed the amalgamation of the Patea Harbour Board, Patea Hospital Board and the council, as there was a definite community of interest in the county in the administration of these bodies. By this proposed amalgamation the council believed the interests of the ratepayers would be best conserved and there was the probability of some direct benefit therefrom.

Mr. T. Alexander suggested that the county should go in for a loan now for the benefit of back-country roads before amalgamation was brought about.

Mr. A. Gibbs also spoke in connection with the matter as affecting the county.

The proposals were discussed by those present, the county chairman answering a number of questions-

Mr. R. W. Oliver moved “That this representative meeting of county ratepayers of the Waverley and surrounding districts, definitely oppose the suggestions of the Minister of Internal Affairs in regard to amalgamation.’’ The motion was seconded by Mr. M. P. Bremer. Mr. H. Boyer moved as an amendment “That this meeting is of opinion that while some improvement could be made by the amalgamation of some local districts, it does not agree with the wholesale amalgamations proposed.’’ The amendment was seconded by Mr. D. Jarvis, but on being put to the meeting was lost, only two votes being recorded for it. The motion was then put and carried. The county chairman then referred to the matter of noxious weeds con-, trol, and said that he would be glad io have an expression of opinion from those present as to whether the council should assume control and administer the Noxious Weeds Act in the county. The matter was discussed but no resolution was passed. Mr. T. Alexander suggested that the matter of franchise be dealt with by the meeting as there was a possibility of the franchise being altered. It was recommended that the matter be referred to the Counties’ Conference in the form of a remit.

The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the county chairman and councillors for calling the meeting and attending, and a vote of 1 hanks was also accorded to the chairman.