LOANS APPROVED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1928, Page 5

LOANS APPROVED.

NEWMARKET ENTHUSIASM.

THREE ISSUES ENDORSED.

MAYOR AND HIS WIFE CHEERED.

In Newmarket yesterday 732 ratepayers out of a total of 1057 on the roll voted on the three issues submitted by the Borougn Council, and gave overwhelming verdicts in favour of the proposals. In volume the poll is a record for the district, and in the results it is a triumph for the policy advocated by the Mayor (Mr. 3. Donaldson) and the council, more especially in regard to the endeavour to relieve tramway congestion in Broadway.

The proposal to borrow £1200 to alter | the tramline and stopping places in Broadway was carried by 447 votes to 229—a majority of 218 votes. The proposal for a drainage loan of £11,500, for the construction or a branch sewer and other necessary work in the northern area was carried by 563 votes to 99 —a majority of 404. The proposal to borrow £800 for the construction of Mortimer's Pass was approved by 257 votes to 128—a majority of 399. Ovation for the Mayor.

When the results of the poll were announced last evening the Mayor and Mrs. Donaldson were given enthusiastic ovations, in which cheers were followed by the singing of "For They are Jolly Good Fellows." In acknowledging the demonstration, Mr. Donaldson thanked the ratepayers for their expression of confidence. Their verdict was the best vindication of his policy that could have been given.

The Mayor took the opportunity of replying to the attack which had been made by Mr. H. Gregory concerning the payment in advance of the honorarium of f2OO which attaches to the Mayoral office. There was nothing unusual in this, he declared, and the payment of the second £100 was made only a few days before the end of the half-year, when it would have been due. (Applause.) Brief speeches «f congratulation were made by Messrs. T. J. Watts and T. N. Sampson. Mr. Donaldson also received many personal congratulations. The Mayor stated subsequently that he expected the work of altering the tramlines to be proceeded with without delay. The ratepayers had given their mandate in favour of the scheme, which in his opinion was an honest endeavour to relieve the congestion of traffic in Broadway. The work must, therefore be put in hand at once. Works Starts in Fortnight. The manager of the tramways (Mr. A. E. Ford) expects that a start will be made with the work in about a fortnight. The Halsey Street work has to bo completed first. Mr. Ford states that the cost to the City Council will be in the vicinity of £2000, but this will also cover the cost of certain renewals which have been delayed pending a decision bv the Newmarket ratepayers. As part of the scheme the tramline, where it turns into Broadway from Khvber Pass, is to be moved further into the Triangle, and a safety zone is to be constructed there for the benefit of passengers joining or leaving citvbound trams. The tram stop at the junction of Broadway and Station Street is to be moved to a point opposite the e wmarket Hotel, and a new stop is to be established on the Remuera line just beyond Broadway. The advocates of the scheme claim that these alterations will greatly facilitate the passage of traffic through Broadway.