WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 11

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED.

DEVONPORT PROPOSAL OFFER BY CITIZENS. MELROSE PAKE IMPROVEMENT/ Support for the proposal of the committee of the Melrose Park recreation ground to provide work for the unemployed of Devonnort was forthcoming to-day at a special meeting of the local iorotigh council, when it was decided to make application to the Local Government Loans Board for sanction to raise a loan of £1200. The committee! has undertaken to guarantee interest: and sinking fund on a sum of £900. The j remaining £,'JUO will be borrowed by the council for the extension and improve-1 ment of the Cautley Street sewer over-1 How. " j It is proposed to build an embankment round Melrose Park, enclosing an additional area of *2ti acres. The extra space will be available for cricket, hockey, football, aud children's playgrounds. Ihe terms suggested to the Loans Board provide for interest to be paid at 5j py cent, and sinking fund at 3 per cent. The period for repayment of the loan will be 20 vears. The deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. Hislop, presided at this morning's meeting. Councillor T. Walsh, who is chairman ot the Melrose Park Committee, outlined the scheme, and the motion that sanction should be applied for came from Mr. P. J. h. Ellisdon, seconded by Mr. W. S. Campbell. Both expressed their confidence that the scheme would not eatail any extra burden on the ratepayers. The deputy-Mayor opposed the proposal, s-tatinjr that he would prefer to to the ratepayers for a loan ° £12,000 for footpaths rather than raise £1200 by Order-in-Couiicil for park improvement. Mr. I "Sseis-urowu said he _ would have r,o hesitation" in undertaking v» e responsibility- of asking for a loan on the basis -ingested. Mr. C. M. Browne supported the attitude of the deputyMayor, but stated that, in view of the extreme urgency of unemployment reliei the borough, he had decided to voue lQ r tlxc scheme.

Mr. E. H. Little, Mr. G. Falla and Mr. F. T. Eyre all spoke in opposition. "I don't think we should let our hearts rule our heads," said Mr. Eyre. The deputy-Mayor said they were all very sympathetic towards the scheme, but it must not be forgotten that up till two years ago Devonport had done more than anv other local body in New Zealand for the relief of unemployment. On a vote being taken, the motion was passed bv lire to four. For: Councillors Ellisdon, Browne, Campbell? Walsh, and Cassels-Brown. Against: Councillors Hislop, Little, Falla, and Eyre. .