DRAINAGE.

Franklin Times, Volume XXI, Issue 67, 10 June 1931, Page 5

DRAINAGE.

DECISION OF THE COUNCIL.

APPLICATION TO LOANS BOARD

FOR SANCTION TO RAISE £23,000

A decision to apply to the Local Loans Board for its sanction to the raising of £23,000 for the installation of a sewerage scheme in the borough, was reached at Monday’s meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council.

The town clerk, Mr S. Bisli, said the application would be for a loan for 3 Gi years, at 5J per cent interest and 1 per cent sinking fund, secured by a special rate over the rateable property in the borough. Mr Bish read objections to a sewerage scheme loan from about 20 ratepayers, the main basis of objection being that the borough rates were too high at present; that drainage was not absolutely essential at the present time; that while the ratepayers w'ere in the throes of the greatest economic depression ever experienced by the Dominion an increased rate over the borough on portions of it, would inflict undue hardship on the ratepayers. Some emphasised that they could not possibly pay an additional rate.

Cr. J. P. Rae said he would like it understood that the action the council was taking would not involve it in any liability.

The Mayor moved the resolution asking the town clerk to make the application, and Cr. G. T. Parvin seconded.

In reply to a queston by Cr. A. T. Begg, the Mayor, Mr John Routly, said the engineer’s estimate for the scheme was £32,000 and that the whole of the drainage area w 7 as included in this estimate.

The town clerk explained that of the £16,000 authorised, £3,000 had been raised, of w'hich amount £1,250 w 7 as in hand, which left £14,250. Against this was £5,000 set aside for house connections which meant that £9,250 was still available for the general sewerage scheme. The difference between the estimated cost of the scheme and the £9,250 available was £22,750, but application was being made for authority to raise £23,000.

The motion was carried unanimous-

The Mayor and town clerk were asked to deal with the objections. The Mayor said he wanted councillors to understand that what the council was doing was primarily for the purpose of ascertaining what advantage was likely to be obtained through the use of “unemployed’ labour. If it was found this was not worth a candle then he would be opposed to the taking of a poll on the proposal.