NAPIER LOAN PROPOSALS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12647, 6 January 1904, Page 2

NAPIER LOAN PROPOSALS.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. RESOLUXM Of APPROVAL. A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Municipal Chambers last night to consider the loan, proposals of the Napier Borough Council. The Mayor (Mr F. W. Williams) presided, and about twenty gentlemen were present, including Crs J. P. Thomson, C. HBdwatds, M. W. P. Lascelles, J. Spence, and A. E. Eagleton. Tlie : Tftwit Clerk read the proposals, as _

Waterworks Purposes - Purchase of a boiler, erection of reservoir and water mains ... 4150 Sanitary Work Purposes—Main and branch sewer extension... 2800 l-'feptiiin of new bridge over the Iron l*ot fit Port Ahuriri and

approaches .... . ..... 1000 Permanent Road For,nation 1 - - Raising of streets to theif proper level and water channel formation of the same ... 850 Fire Brigade Purposes Purchase of land for erection of 4 building on a centrally situated Site, removal of present buildings and erection of tower, erection of hfise feel statioiis and equipment ... 600 Cost of creeiioit of Morgue and Isolation Hospital sits .... 600 Total £i0,600

The Mayor said the meeting had been called to discuss the proposals Which the council wished to bring before tlte ratepayers at an early date, proposals Involving. the borrowing of £IO,OOO. It would he ffrnembered that shout this time last year a meeting was held to discuss a very much larger scheme, which the ratepayers, in their wisdom, had thought fit to throw out. At that time he had pointed out that they had been, and still wßuld be compelled to carry out Certain works of a permanent nature, and that it they did not obtain out-

side money to construct these Works they would require to raise the money directly hy rates. Td show what he meant he would mention several sums which had been spent during the past year on works which might be considered of a permanent nature. In small sewer extensions in one direction and another to enable houses to connect the sum of £287 had been expended. Some time ago it had been decided to widen Waghorne-street. That pad to be paid for, and it had co'sf £846,' Then . they had to procure a supply of ifort pipes for extending the water mains. The principal mains affected were those on Na-pier-terrace. Unless the new main had been laid there, the new pipe put down, the water supply .at .the Hospital would have been practically nil.- The pipe originally put down was only S Small one, and although it had served its purpose for a time the cutting up of Colenso Hill and other demands otherwise made upon it, had left next to nothing for the Hospital. These new pipes, sOnie of which had not yet been uSeil) had. coat. £1039 15s 7d and

£316 Ss 4d had beeii expended in laying them down. Another item of, expenditure during ISO 3 had been £225 7s 7d on the extension of the abattoir yards. These items made a total of £2714 17s 10d which had had to be taken out of the borough’s ordinary banking account, practically out of the rates* They had now come to the point that they had further extensions to make, notably in connection with the water supply. That was the principal item which the council wished to lay before the ratepayers. A new boiler at the waterworks pumping station was an absolute necessity, one of those now in use having been condemned by the Government inspector, and if the loan were not raised it would have to be paid for out of the rates. It was not a pleasant thing to have to tell the ratepayers that the rates must be increased, but if these demands on the council were to be complied with, and if they did not authorise the loan, no other course would be open. He considered that the pioppsals were most reasonable, and he did not think any increase of rates would be involved if the loan were raised. He did not anticipate that there would be any such increase, for the simple reason that some of the works last year had to be effected out of the rates. They would be able, if the proposals were carried, to pay for such works out of loan money, and in this way a small deduction could be made from the general rate to equalise the special rate required for interest on the loan. Mr R, Graham asked who had petitioned for the works proposed or expressed a wish that they should be carried out.

The Mayor said he had not intended to convey the impression that any ratepayers had asked for the particular items contained in the proposals. What he meant was that time after time the council got applications for extensions of the water mains and sewers. These ratepayers had a perfect right to have these works done, so that they might have the same advantages as their neighbours enjoyed. Mr Graham expressed the opinion that the works could very well stand over for a few years, when there would probably be a larger population to bear the burden. The Mayor and council were the guardians of the people’s interests, and yet in the face of increased rates and compulsory connection with the sewers they were asking for £IO,OOO. It was monstrous. The Mayor again pointed out, as an instance, the necessity for a new boiler at the waterworks pumping station. It would have to be supplied in any case, and it was for the ratepayers to say whether they preferred that it should be paid for out of the rates. He did not think any ratepayers would like to be cut off from the water supply, and that would probably happen to many of them if the boiler were not obtained.

Captain Widerstrom said he was quite convinced that the proposals were reasonable, and in his opinion the council should be encouraged in their efforts to improve the town. He therefore moved, “That the proposals be approved and submitted to a poll of the ratepayers.” Cr Lascelles, as a large ratepayer, seconded the motion. He was satisfied that the works were necessary, and that the raising of the loan would not involve an additional burden in the form of increased rates.

Cr Thomson supported the motion, on the ground that he desired to see the town go ahead and not remain in life same old rut. There were signs of progress and a more hopeful feeling about the town than he had known for many years, and it was their duty to make provision for that progress in the way of sanitary and other works. He considered it incumbent on every ratepayer to vote for the loan.

Mr D. A. Baxter, speaking as the representative of one of the largest ratepaying firms in the borough, and as a business man, could see clearly that the proposed loan was necessary, not only from a practical point of view, but also for sanitary reasons. If this town was to go ahead, and he had no doubt it would, it must be made sanitary and healthy in every way.

The motion was then put and carried, only three hands being held up against it.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Mayor.