MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3553, 19 June 1912, Page 6

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

THE COUNCIL PLACED IN THE PILLORY. SOME VERY POINTED CRITICISM. WHERE HAS ALL THE LOAN MONEY GONE? Some fairly warm criticism was meted out to the Borough Council last evening at a meeting of ratepayers that war held in Whinrav’s Hall. About fifty ratepayers attended and the chair was occupied'by Mr J. C. E. Turner, President of the East Coast Trades and Labor Council. The chairman explained that the meeting was being held as the resinC of a former meeting which was convened about three weeks ago and at wbicn certain resolutions were carried. These were forwarded to the Council and the following reply was received from the Town Clerk: “I am instructed by the Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th inst., containing resolutions passed at a meeting of ratepayers held under the auspices cf your Council on the 27tli inst-, in reference to assisting property owners who require' assistance in putting-in their sewerage, connections and plumbing fixtures, (jailing tenders for remaining connections, etc., •and a charge of £1 per annum for water for flushing purposes, and to state in reply, as follows: The Council has the interests of the ratepayers at heart, and is doing all that is possible to assist them. It is at present ascertaining whether a larger sum than £l2 per connection can ho advanced, and the Council has already resolved to call tenders for plumbing fixtures. With reference to the water question, the Council intends as soon, as possible to instal the meter system, so that ratepayers will only be charged for water actually used. Trusting you will find this satisfactory.”

Igncrant or in Ignorance? Continuing the chairman said when the reply was received by the Trades Council they thought that it was only fair to the ratepayers that it should be put before them at as early a date as possible. He wanted to explain that it was not the intention of the Trades Council to rush into the affairs of the ratepayers of Gisborne, but they had the interest of ratepayers and also those who had a residential right at heart, and were watching the expenditure of the loan moneys. It was his intention after making a few remarks to allow the meeting to elect its own chairman and conduct it purely as a ratepayers’ meeting, and the Trades Council would drop out of the matter. There was a feeling amongst ratepayers, that the meeting had too much to do with the Trades Council. • Personally he thought the ratepayers were unjustly alarmed, for the Trades Council was trying to do its best for Gisborne to bring this matter, which was one of great urgency, before the ratepayers. When the resolutions - were discussed at a previous meeting of the Borough Council, Dr. Collins, in speaking on the matter, said that the first meeting of ratepayers was a meeting of ignorant men. (Laughter.) Well he (the speaker) did not- know whether they wanted that title, but lie would leave the matter to them. No doubt some of the people present at the previous mooting were large ratepayer's ,-md some were small, but nevertheless the resolutions were carried unanim-

on.sly. The sweeping -criticism levelled by Dr. Collins may well be said to .be uncalled for. Dr- Collins also stated at the Council meeting that he had held, a conference with Mr Bull and himself (the chairman) regarding this matter, and he said plainly that if they had known as much before the meeting as they knew after the cont ere nee they would not have passed tho resolutions they did. Thus was absolutely incorrect. He met Dr. Colli;’s in the morning and lie (Dr. Collins) thought the resolutions were very suitable and just what was wanted to wake up the Council. He asked the speaker to get some of the people who were at the meeting together and meet him with the Town Clerk. The notice was so short that only Mr J. M r . Bull could be found. They went to Dr. Collins’ -surgery and saw the Mayor, Town Clerk and Dr. Collins, and after discussing the matter they “asked that tho resolutions be withdrawn, but he (Mr Turner) pointed out this could not be done, as they were carried at a public meeting. The Trades Council was of opinion that it was now time the Borough Council put tiieir house in order and gave some assurance as to what it intended to do in the future. No doubt the Council intended going for more money, and that would have to be dealt with in a- more ample manner than in the past. He mentioned that Mr Whinray had given tho hall free <, charge for the meeting. j Mr I. Simson thought as the Trades. Council was the only body that had I moved in the matter it would be only * courtesy to allow Mr Turner to remain in the chair- He had no fear that the Trades Council would do them any harm. This was agreed to.

“Not While the Rivers Flow.” Mr Simson said he remembered Dr. Collins' remarks that the resolutions were passed by them out of ignorance. He did not think be said the people were ignorant. It was mentioned at the Council meeting that tho meeting of ra+c •" ;• - vo< 1 PI Ct un.suocessSul candidates for- the Borough Cottacil. Jtc : one, and Deioits he proceeded fnr'her he'wanted it distinctly understood “as the rivers flow and the trees grow” he would never be a

candidate for another Council election. He came to the meeting as a ratepayer. He owned several, houses, but he wanted to know why he had to pay money which he npver anticipated ire would have to pay. (Hear, hear.) He then traced the history- of the £.175,000 loan, and he wanted to know if Mr Marchant’s plans had -been carried out. He would say that they had not. When Mr Lysnar was at Home they were altered and enlarged without the ratepayers’ authority. If these plans were not correct they should have consulted other engineers. He thought they obtained the loans under false pretences. What had they done with the money? A Voice: Given us mud.

Continuing Mr' Simson said that where there had been ten chains of road made in Whataupoko they found a hundred in Kaiti. The administration was wrong. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor was erected as manager for the borough, and the councillors as directors, and they had to spend the money to -the best of their ability and they spent it to thy best of “their” ability. Everything was left to tlie Engineer and tlie Town Clerk, and they were running Gisborne. As administrators they were a mistake. Large amounts had been spent, but the ratepayers Were getting nothing for it. He pointed out that the electric lighting scheme, tramways, roads and footpaths were unfinished, and said something was radically wrong. A Voice: It is extraction.

Mr . Simson said it was undoubtedly bad administration. He was not there to rave at the Borough Council and there was a fair limit to the criticism ratepayers should have. iS'ometliing had to be done to prevent the waste that was going on in Gisborne. A Voice: Turn them out.

Mr Simson : You cannot do that. Continuing, Mr Simson said that one councillor had told him they did not appreciate the fact that they were doing their best. Well their best is tlie worst he (the speaker) ever saw. If they knew public opinion ■ they -would go out of office. The time had come when a commission should be appointed to go over all these works and see whether the money had been expended judiciously. He believed Mr Paterson was a very good man, but he had required a lot of money for tlie various works. Mr Pettie was a very nice man and they all liked a nice man, but he was there to administer tlie finances of the borough. Continuing, lie further criticised the expenditure of the loans, and said many ratepayers would like to know where the money had gone to.

A Yoieo: In office expenditure

No Perronal Grievance.

Mr Simson said he had no personal grievance against the borough, hut tlie Council’s administration was rotten and bad because it- was unbusinesslike. A resolution should be passed, protesting against borrowing until the advance for sewerage connection was assured. He pointed out that were hundreds of people who could not "■’v for the connections, and if the borough would not advance the amount they would have to sell their iiouses.

y A Voice: It is not coining to that, d That is only your idea, e i Mr Maher wanted to know who esn timated the cost of the connections at e £l2. Mr Simson : Mr Merchant. ■, Mr Maher: There you are. Mr - Simson ad/iiits M}r Merchant made - the mistake. g Mr It. Johnston pointed out that . Mr Merchant based his estimate on a the cost at Tirnaru, and lie (the speako er) wanted to know why connections t should cost so Anueli up here, rrt 1 Hastings a house belonging to a friend f of his 50ft. from the road had been 1 completely connected up for £23. The ; Council he thought should have called 3 for tenders outside Gisborne for tlie 2 work. It was said the large amount r required here was due te the increased' ) cost of labor and material. In his 3 own business wages and material had - increased, but he was not getting' any i more for clothes tlian he did 20 years l ago. If the by-laws were too strict l let the Council alter them. i The chairman pointed out that Cr- - Smith had said the drainage was the • most elaborate lie knew of. s Mr Simson moved that this meet- • ing pledges itself te prevent any fur- [ ther borrowing by the Borough Coun- ; cil except in the estimates for same, • sufficient money is allocated for the purpose of putting in connections for j those who cannot afford to pay more I than interest on the money; and also that steps be at onoe taken te alter I tlie present by-laws so that while j making it efficient it comes within j the means of the present population of j Gisborne.” Mr -T>. McKoague thought the bylaws made the work too expensive al- ! together. These by-laws were first : tried in Wellington and had to be altered. N Mr Johnston produced an account for £l9 7s 9d from the Borough Council for putting the sewerage to pre- ; mises in Parau Street exclusive of plumbing. j Mr Fisher seconded the motion. ! Mr Morgan wanted to know if the connections should become a charge on the property or the community ? Mr Simson: A charge against the property by all means. Failure to gel a Deputation. Mr Atkinson thought that the ' Council would require another loan as they had not sufficient money to ad- ! ranee the extra amount, and the ratepayers would vote for it. There had been so much money borrowed and squandered unnecessarily that tlie ' ratepayers find it was too late to do : anything. The Council was going to do as they liked irrespective of the ratepayers. » A Voice: No chance. . Continuing Mi- Atkinson said one man had got control of the expendi- f ! ture and he was pretty expensive. He would spend money if they gave it to 5 him, and he blamed the ratepayers * for giving it to him. 1 The motion was carried. 1 The chairman pointed out that - (speculators were availing themselves of the advance by the Council and he , did not think this should be encourageel. He thought the meeting should + carry the following motion: -‘That T the Borough 'Council make only one advance to each ratepayer.” * i t Mr D. W. Coleman pointed out that tlie Council had no power to discriminate, but he thought they should have power to decide the merits of each application. I My A. S. Richards seconded the J motion and said he thought the resolution, should be sent forward. He pointed out that a statement giving the cost of the various works had not

•been published by the Council. The motion was carried. Kegarding the charge for flushing the meeting decided to, lot the matter stand over. It was pointed out that the Council' intended putting in meters. Mr Bull said he understood: these would cost £9, and the ratepayerswould have to pay for them. A gentleman at the hack of the hall thought that in that case the present system had better be retained.' It was decided that the resolutions should be put before the Council by a deputation, but when nominations were made those named dec-lined. The members of the Trades Council would not agree to join the''deputation owing to the fact that it was a ratepayers’ meeting, and they thought ratepayers should approach the Council. It was eventually agreed to forward the resolutions by letter.