PROPOSED LOAN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 23, 27 January 1912, Page 11

PROPOSED LOAN.

MIRAMAR'S SCHEME. MEETING OF RATEPAYERS." For the purpose of considering the proposed loan of £18,000 to provide electric .power within the borough for street and, private lighting, trams, drainage, water, and industries, an informal meeting of ratepayers of the borough^of Miramar was held in the Town Hall, Miramar, last evening. There was an attendance of , about forty, the Mayor (Mr. John Brodie) presiding. In outlining the scheme, particulars of which have already been published, Mr. Brodie said that it had been recommended by two expert engineers, Messrs. Mestayer and Black. It was found necessary to instal plant for pumping water to high levels, and for little extra cost street lighting, trams, drainagej etc., could be provided for. The new scheme would cost £2530 a year, and, with £500 capital charges added, would make a total of £3030 a year. Better street .and private lighting was badly wanted, and in this connection alone, the new would result in' a saving of something like £1000 per year. Ratepayers in addition would be getting a much better light, as the loss in transmission would be practtbally nil.' Another favourable point was that under the scheme the borough would be able to offer electric power to any industry. Regarding the trams,. Mr. Brodie said that, allowing for an expected increase in population, if the scheme was adopted, the cost of the tram* in three years' ' time would be £1180, as against £1760 if the borough carried on under the present system. The speaker then touched on the question of amalgamation, and pointed out that the proposal, if carried, would make the position of the borough a strong one when it joined issue with the city. If the ratepayers sanctioned the loan, £10,500 would be allotted for additional power, including £5100 for lighting installation. The remaining £7500 would be for tram-cars and shed, but this amount, in the speaker's opiniojs, would not be required. Before it was found necessary to build cars and sheds he was quite sure some arrangement would be made with tha city. APPROVAL OF SCHEME. Councillor Richards characterised the scheme as ono of the soundest ever placed before the ratepayers. Although it would' probably not solve tho tramway trouble at once, it would undoubtedly result in a gr,eat saving. Another good t-hing was that the rates would not be increased. - • Co*mcillor Bowie said that the scheme woufd undoubtedly make for a more e£Bci«nt tram service.' They would also have better - lighting, and the borough would save £2000 per annum. In any case a power-house was necessary for pumping purposes. Councillors 'Stone, Telford, and Bell also spoke in favour of ihe proposal. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Mr. F. Townsend asked if the couuc:! thought it ,a4vrsablp B ,to borrow such, a large sum when things were- in such ai> unsatisfactory state in the borough. There wero many empty house* on the I flat. The Mayor replied that the loan would be warranted by the saving that would result. There were several empty houses in the district no' doubt,' but many of them were not fit Ut live in. In reply to aiiothef question, Mr. Brodie said that the council had considered the question of extending the trams from Seatoun to Worser Bay. After o^her questions had been asked and answered, the meeting closed at 10 o'clock. ' t