LOWER HUTT LOANS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 135, 4 December 1925, Page 9

LOWER HUTT LOANS

TWO PROPOSALS CARRIED

TOWN HALL REJECTED

IMPORTANT DRAINAGE WORKS.

The result of the voting on the various loan proposals at Lower Hutt yesterday was that the Western Hills drainage loan of £6000 was carried by a very large majority. The road improvement loan (incidentally approving a new bridge) was carried by a majority of 24. The pavilion loan and the Town Hall loan proposals were rejected by heavy majorities. About 50 per cent, of the ratepayers voted, which, for a loan poll, is a high percentage, and is easily the highest loan poll recorded in Lower Hutt.

The voting on the various proposals was:— Roads Improvement Loan, £26,000. For tho loan 589 Against 565 Majority for loan 24 Informal 32 Storm Water Drainage and Water Supply, £6000. For the loan 872 Against '290 Majority for loan .... 582 Informal 20 Town Hall Loan, £30,000. For the loan 403 n Against 745 Majority against 342 Informal 39 Kecreation Ground Pavilion, £7500. For the loan •■•.., 459 Against 689 Majority against 230 Informal 37

The Mayor (Mr. W. T. Strand), addressing the residents who were waiting for the results, said that the loan be was most pleased about was the Western Hills drainage and sewage and water supply loan. This was undoubtedly the most important loan, as health must come before everything'else, and lie was therefore pleased it had been carried hv Hiich a larja majority. He was also pleased that, though only by a narrow majority, the road improvement loan had been carried. It would be seen in a very short time that this was a very important development. Many Wellington people had expressed to him; the opinion that it would prove of great importance to Wellington and as well a* to the immediate district. With regard to the other two proposals, he v:as glad that, il they had to be tiirr.etl down, they were turned down in no uncertain manner. The ratepayers had given the council a lead in the matter of the policy and had clearly said that these two proposals were not needed at the present time. In the future, if there was a desire to do so, the proposals might be put before them again. With regard to the loans carried,, no time*' would be lost in jiving effect to the wishes of the ratepayers in the most economical manner. Speaking later in the evening, Mr. 'Strand said that, though the council was unanimous in regard to all the protposals, and still approved them, and thought they would be all an acquisition to the district, it; must bn remembered that the two proposals which had been carried were distinctly council propqsals, and most strongly recommended by" the whole council; while the other two were proposals suggested from outside sources. The pavilion loan was asked for by a strong deputation of sports and other bodies, and a Town Hall had been requested by many persons privately. The carrying of the drainage loan proposed will enable the Lower Hutt Council, in conjunction with the Petone Council, to tackle in a real way the constant menace of the waters which during heavy rains find their way on to the low-lying land in both boroughs. It will also enable the council to give sewage and water services to the district round about Melling. The carrying of the road improvement loan will enable the council to purchase over 4 acres mostly lying just eastward of the proposed bridge in a line with Railway avenue.. It will also mean that the sale of land not required will probably supply the council with a sufficient profit to enable it to pay the full amount the borough will have to find for the new bridge without touching on any other borough funds. The council had definitely stated prior to the poll that a vote for the road improvement loan would be taken as a mandate to go on with the bridge, which does not require to. go before the ratepayers for approval.