STORMWATER DRAINAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4473, 14 February 1917, Page 7

STORMWATER DRAINAGE.

PROPOSAL ADVANCED ANOTHER STAGE. Tlie stormwater drainage scheme was further considered by the Borough Council at its meeting last night, when a resolution in regard to preparations for taking a poll on the question was passed. The-resolution set forth tho amount to be borrowed at £50,000, the rate being a special rate of | of Id in the ,£ on the unimproved value of the rateable property of the borough. A sinking fund of A p.c. was provided for, and the term of the loan was to be 30 years from date of issue.

Cr. Hill said he hoped that the Mayor would see his way, when taking the poll, to see that the meat question ; The Mayor: The meat question will not go on it.

Cr. Hill, continuing, said that the rates were being increased, and the ratepayers wanted a set-off against that by a reduction in commodities. If the Mayor would undertake to obtain a reduction of the price of meat on his own scheme he would be prepared to support the •scheme, not otherwise.

Cr. Wildish supported the proposal. He said that if the Council did not carry tho proposal out, the Health Department would step in and condemn a number of houses. He considered tho loan was a step in the right direction. Stormwater drainage must come, he concluded, and the sooner the better.

Cr. Lawless pointed out that the rate of interest was not mentioned in the resolution.

The Mayor pointed out that if the rate of interest were advertised or put on tho voting paper, the Council would have to keep to that rate of interest. If they could not get it at that rate, a fresh poll would have to be taken. The Council would get the money at the lowest rate of interest possible. This matter and other matters concerning -the raising of the money would come before the Council after "the loan had been sanctioned. Cr. Miller said fftaOie could not understand the people complaining about Gisborne being highly rated. He said that he had paid about double the rates on a property at Mangapapa than lie did for a property in Palmerston Road. He asserted that outside tlie borough boundary the rates were higher and the advantages less than what obtained within the borough. Cr. Munns'also supported going on with the proposal. He said that tlie Government had practically said that the work had to bo gone on with, and the Council had to do it. He asked his Worship, in order to clear up the position and remove any misunderstanding there may be, to make a statement through the press. The matter was one of urgency, and the Council should not risk the defeat of the proposal through misunderstandings. The Mayor said that he would see that something was done in that direction. The motion to advertise the proposal to take the poll was carried.