LINWOOD.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8729, 27 February 1894, Page 3

LINWOOD.

A meeting of the Linwood Borough Council- was held last night in connection wilih the loan proposals. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Penticost, Horsley, Duncan, Marriott, Jos. Taylor, Marshall. There were several interested ratepayers in attendance. The Mayor explained the object of the meeting, and said apologies had been received for the absence of Crs. John Taylor, Board, and Wilson. The latter was the prime mover in the matter, and it was unfortunate that illness prevented him from attending. The letter from Cr. Board recommended that the question should be submitted to the ratepayers. Cr. Wilson wrote at some length in support of his proposals to raise the loan, and asked that the question be submitted to the ratepayers, suggesting that the public meeting might be held at a time when he would be well enough to attend. A letter was also received from several ratepayers, who wished to lie heard as. a deputation. The Clerk, read the report of the Special Coiamittee set up to consider the question. The deputation was then invited to address the Council.Mr Edkins said tbat the deputation represented about forty ratepayers who were favourable to the proposal for a loan, as its expenditure would improve the borough iv the matter of sanitation, and would induce a large number of inhabitants. He adduced several arguments to support the question being submitted to tbe- ratepayers, and suggested that minute details should be given at a public meeting respecting the expenditure, repayment, interest, sinking fund, and so j on. ■ Mr C. P. H-Xbert addressed the Council concerninc" the City Council loan of ten years ago, raised for permanent works, sanitary ones especially, and pointed out j the improvements which had been effected, besides bringing about a reduction in rates. He held {that the Council if it deserved to exist had a; duty to perform in improving the sanitary condition of the borough. The Mayor said that whatever the Council might decide in respect of the present proposals, all were agreed that something wai, necessary to do away with the unsanitary conditions of certain portions of the borough. He was of opinion that the proposals at present were too cumbersome. Cr. Marshall said he had spoken to a large number of ratepayers and, with but few exceptions, they were all opposed to the loan under its present proposals. He was of opinion that only channelling and flushing should, be taken, and there were portions ot the borough where it would be abaird to to spend-any money at present. Cr. Marriott moved—"That the Special Committee's report should be rejected." He gave bis reasons for opposing the proposals of Cr. Wilson, whose figures were open to correction. Cr. Marshall seconded the motion. Cr. Duxcan supported the proposal to raise a loan, and sail, he did so out of respect to the feelings of the deputation and the ratepayers who had petitioned the ConnciL He moved that the report be adopted. Cr. Pesticost seconded the motion. Cr. Marriott withdrew bis motion, preferring to vote against the adoption of the achcime. Cr. Horsley considered a loan for channelling and flushing purposes would be sufficient. Cr. Jos. Taylor was opposed to the proposid as it stood, and residents in the northern part of the district were of his opinion. He was prepared to move an i amendment that the proposals be rejected, ' believing that a more reasonable scheme would be forthcoming. j The Mayor gave it as his opinion that the scheme as submitted to the Council' would not meet the approval of the ratepayers generally. It- had been suggested j that the better scheme would be to raise a j sum, of money' for channelling, the cost to |

'be borne half out of loan aud half by the ratepayers as at present. The motion was lost. Ayes—Crs. Duncan and Peuttcost,; noes—the Mayor, Crs. Marshall, Taylor, Marriott, Marshall, and Horsley. Votes of thanks were accorded to Cr. i Wilson for the trouble he had taken in the matter, and to the deputation for the infori mation they had supplied.