COUNTY RATEPAYERS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9206, 7 April 1938, Page 2

COUNTY RATEPAYERS

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION

FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS SELECTION OF CANDIDATES

’Plie annual meeting of the Waihi-Waikino-Waitekauri Ratepayers’ Association was held in the Miners’ Union Hall reading room on Monday evening, when there was an attendance of about thirty members. The chairman, Mr C. Hands, presided. In reply to the secretary’s (Mr Kristen Bjerring’s) enquiry for information on various matters that had come before a previous meeting, the clerk of the Oliinemuri County Council, Mr A. A. Jenkinson, furnished a comprehensive reply to all questions. Full details were given on the question of voting disqualification at, county elections. In this connection the duty of the county clerk was to send to the returning officer, not later than ten days before the date of the election, a list of all ratepayers whose rates or any part of them were unpaid for a period of not less than six months, and no person whose name appeared on the furnished list was entitled to vote. Further, such person would not be competent to nominate any person as a candidate or to be himself nominated as a candidate. This meant that any person | whose full rates remained unpaid at j the time the defaulters’ list was prei pared, which would be April 27, I 1938, would not be eligible to vote at I the elections.

FIVE-YEAR ROAD PLAN

With regard to the five-year roading plan, Mr Jenkinson advised as follows: —“The following works In your district have been included in the council’s five-year roading plan in addition to those already carried out: Farrelleys road, Waikino, reforming and metalling 3 0 chains, estimated cost £29 0; Bayliss road, Waihi Plains, reforming and metalling 22 chains, .estimated cost £145; Old Waitekauri road, reforming and metalling 1 mile 2 0 chains to give cream circuit, estimated cost £750; Trig road, reforming and metalling 7S chains to give cream circuit, estimated cost £750; Old Tauranga road, reforming and metalling 52 chains to give cream circuit, estimated cost £450; Pukewera road, reforming and metalling G 4 chains, estimated cost £540.”

For the purpose of acquainting the association with the position of the new ridings, the county clerk supplied a map of the county with the ridings coloured in. With regard to the closing of nominations, Mr Jenkinson advised that probably Wednesday, April 27 would be the date fixed for the nominations, but an advertisement would appear in the “Waihi Telegraph" before April 19 stating the date. Also that the county electors rolls closed on April 6. The chairman expressed his appreciation of the courtesy of the county clerk in supplying so much detailed information, and thought that a letter should be forwarded acknowledging with thanks the information supplied. Mr S. 11. Morgan concurred with the chairman’s sentiments and moved in the direction suggested. This found a seconder in Mr A. J. Campbell and the motion was carried.

BRIDGE RATES Arising out of a remark by Mr P. Sutton, that he had paid a special bridge rate to the Tauranga County Council, general discussion arose. Mr G. Hoye explained that there were three separate rates held by the Tauranga County, including one or two bridge rates, but how long these bridge rates were going to continue he had been unable to ascertain. The Ohinemuri County Council had furnished the Tauranga County Council with the valuations,'but declined to collect them, the onus being on the Tauranga County. After some further discussion, in which it was pointed out that only two or three farmers were affected by these special rates, it was decided on the motion of Mr A. H. Blackmore, seconded by Mr P. Sutton, that the Taurgnga County Council be asked to furnish a list of the special rates on the properties handed over to the Ohinemuri County, also the amount of the rate in the £l, and to set out specifically what the rates were struck for and how long they were to run.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Tlie election of officers resulted as follows: Chairman, Mr C. Hands; vice-chairman, Mr H. L. Franklin; committee, Messrs L. Leopold, P. Sutton, A. .1. Campbell, S. 11. Morgan, H. Wells, D. Samson, A. C. Davidson and H. Harris. With regard to the five-year roading plan it was decided that particulars of any additional Bonds requiring attention be supplied to the secretary and their merits be considered at a future meeting.

Mr Bjerring declined nomination for the position of secretary, and Mr E. A. Chester was appointed to the office. Mr Blackmore moved that the retiring secretary, Mr Bjerring, be thanked for his past services. This was seconded by Mr Franklin and carried.

Ballots were taken in connection with (he selection of candidates for the Waihi and Waihi West ridings and resulted as follows: Waihi Riding—Messrs L. Leopold and C. Christensen; Waihi West—P. Sutton. For a seat on the Thames Valley Power Board, Mr H. L. Franklin was chosen; and for a seat on the Thames Hospital Hoard. Mr S. 11. Morgan was selected.

On the motion of Mr A. C. Campbell, seconded by Mr Morgan, it was decided to write to the Minister of Railways, intimating that the association was desirous of taking steps to have the sub-way just beyond the Waitete bridge re-opened. The mover urged that it would be a great benefit to have an alternative road for live stock.