PROTEST AT LOAN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29797, 13 April 1962, Page 10

PROTEST AT LOAN

Drainage Board Building

The Christchurch Drainage Boards proposal to raise a loan of £150.000 for a new office building were attacked at a lively meeting of about 80 residents of the Northcote and Styx areas last evening The meeting unanimously recorded its “strong opposition to any suggestion that public moneys handled by the Christchurch Drainage Board should, be applied to ; the erection on an extravagant new administration building until all urgent sewer commitments are completed.” A further resolution called on the Drainage Board member for the district. Mr M. ! R. Carter, to oppose the loan proposal at the board's next i meeting. Comment on Mr Carter’s absence from the meeting was made during discussion on this resolution. When a speaker from the floor asked if Mr Carter had been invited to the meeting, or had “ill-manneredly been ignored.” the chairman of the meeting. Mr A. A. Adcock, said that members of the Drainage Board had deliberately not been invited to the meeting. Mr A. J Smith, a member of the Drainage Board, attended the meeting—"Mr Smith has come along on his own inclination.’’ said the chairman—while another board member. Mr R H. Stillwell, sent his apology. Complaints of "sewage discharging into the gutters.” “sullagey backyards." “’stinking septic tanks.” and “known hepatitis” were made at the meeting. “No-one would object if the Drainage Board spent £500,000 on a new office, if we had the sewer,” said Mr W. Cameron. ‘“The point is that we haven’t got the sewer. Surely the board's existing building could be done up to last another five or 10 years, or some alternative accommodation found. But as we are concerned with the health of our families, our main concern should be that any money available is spent on sewering." (Loud applause).

Loan Requirements

The Drainage Board required £1,300.000 to complete stage II of its reticulation programme, but had so far raised only £300,000 said Mr W. T. Rice—“it is £1 million short of the money needed to complete stage 11, and Northcote is near the end of stage II.” While he recognised the Drainage Board’s need for a new office—the lease of its Colombo street premises expired in November of this year, and that of its Herestreet premises in June. 1964—even looking ahead 50 an offlce block costing £ t 00.006 would be far in excess of the board's needs Mr Rice said Ils total inside staff was only 104. „ The meeting also set up an action committee.” consisting of Mr W. T. Rice SMrs M. Y. Burrows, V- p - Rai >bitte, Mr W. McNeil Mr W. Cameron, and C j, Pilet - t 0 Protest at the board s loan to the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake), Jie Local Bodies Loans Board, and the Local Government Commission.