BOROUGH COUNCIL CRITICISED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28936, 2 July 1959, Page 15

BOROUGH COUNCIL CRITICISED

Diamond Harbour Sewer Scheme

Accusations by the Lyttelton Borough Council that the Diamond Harbour Burgesses’ Association had made “wild statements” regarding the proposed sewer extensions at Diamond Harbour have been replied to by the association. The association had suggested that the scheme could be financed by the sale of more sections in the area. “Hitherto this has been a legitimate means of capital raising, the first stage of sewer reticulation being largely financed by accumulated capital from that source,” s 'id the president of the association (Mr E. A. Camfield) in a statement. “The sewer extension will cost money and most persons would expect some adjustment to the rates. This does not explain why the suggestion that some of the charge be met by further sales of sections has suddenly become ‘heresy and wild statement.’ ”

Mr Camfleld said the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. G. Briggs) had felt the questioning of the terms of the ballot most severely, but this was matched only by the shock to the burgesses’ feelings on finding that the Borough Council had “jumped the gun” and dispatched the ballot with unexplained urgency, in spite of six months of negotiation, and without reference to their promise of April 21 to inform the association of its investigations. The council, in reply to the association’s proposal that the scheme should be financed from the further sales of sections, told the association by letter on April 21 that the suggestion was being investigated by the council, and that when a decision had been reached the association would be advised.