LOAN DIVERSION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 102, 11 April 1933, Page 8

LOAN DIVERSION

WELLINGTON RATEPAYERS TO DECIDE. SUM OF £69.000 INVOLVED. WELLINGTON, April 11. Thirteen years ago the City Council initiated an ambitious public works scheme by asking the ratepayers to sanction the raising of loans amounting to over £750,000. Few of the then member.' of the council thought that the ratepayers would consent to such a costly programme, and the Mayor, the late Sir John Luke, was of opinion that fully a third of the proposals would be thrown out at the poll. To the surprise of everyone, the entire schedule was accepted by the ratepayers—it was a year of the liveliest optimism—and many of the works have been carried out. Among the projects on the 1920 loan schedule was a waterworks scheme, only part of which was carred into effect, though the total loan was raised. During last year the council, on more than one occasion, considered the question of utilising the loan sanction for waterworks purposes, if not the exact ones set out in the 1920 schedule. When half-way through last year, this was mooted, objections were raised byratepayers’ organisations against the spending of this money (£9000), and so adding an additional burden to the rates at a time when most people are finding it difficult to meet the corporation’s demands. The contention of the council is that some of the alternative works proposed are becoming necessary; that Wellington must evolve an auxiliary water supply as soon as possible; and that the spending of the money spread over a few years would be of benefit to many. The Mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, made it clear from the outset that ho personally was opposed to the spending of this money without the consent of the ■"rtepayers. Therefore, the ratepayer- of Wellington are to be asked to sanction the use of the already raised loan money at the poll to be conducted, in conjunction with the election of Mayor, City Council, Harbour Board and Hospital Board on May 3.