TIMARU LOAN PROPOSALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12532, 20 June 1901, Page 6

TIMARU LOAN PROPOSALS.

The Timarti Borough Council held a special meeting on Monday evening to consider proposals for various loans, brought for-ward by the Mayor, Mr Macintosh. The first related to the establishment of abattoirs. As the butchers were interested in this question, a deputation of the trade attended, arid discussed the matter with the Council, in committee. The deputation stated, several reasons against adopting the alternative of" making use of the Smithfield Freezing Works as .abattoirs, and the Council resolved to establish -public abattoirs, and. that £4OOO be borrowed for the purpose. It was suggested that fifty acres of land would be necessary, and if was also resolved to invite offers of suitable sites, up to fifty acres, and within three miles of the borough boundary. It was further resolved to ask the Stock Department to put the licensees to as little expense as possible in the improvement 'of their private premises, as they will be needed for only a'short time. The second item dealt with was a loan for concreting the gully ditches, and kerbing and: channelling Webb Street. The foreman submitted an estimate, total-, ling £6034. The -Mayor mentioned other items of £I2OO, and the Council, with one dissentient (-Who thought £6OOO should be sufficient), decided ,to ask the ratepayers to sanction a loan of £IO,OOO. The Mayor proposed to borrow £14,000 for a second reservoir, and £6OOO for other water works extensions. The Inspector, of Water Works reported that the reservoir is unnecessary, yet the Mayor and some councillors wished to retain it. It was, however, dropped, and a loan- of £6OOO proposed for extension of mains. Some councillors opposed, saying that such work can be done put of profits from existing works. The proposal was carried, "by the casting vote of the Mayor. A proposal to borrow £SOOO to pay off the bank overdraft was carried with little discussion, Councillor Waite opposing, on the ground that it was their duty to reduce the overdraft by exercising economy. A proposal to borrow £3OOO for the purchase of land for a recreation reserve at the north side of the borough was strongly opposed by a few councillors, but was carried by seven to six. For the purchase of a road roller and stone crusher, a. loan of £BOO was proposed, but this was said to be insufficient. The amount was increased to £IOOO, and the proposal carried unanimously. • It was resolved—" That £25,000 be placed on the estimates for the purchase of the gas works, or for electric light," and this was carried. with little • discussion. The Mayor promised to have an expert's re- -, port on electric lighting to lay before the ratepayers. ' In reply to a question, the Mayor said the water works, gas works, and abattoirs loans would be self-supporting; the road roller would be a saving in the long -run; the overdraft loan would save £SO a yeas in interest; the reserves loan would' mean an additional charge; and the drainage loan must be provided for by a special rate. , It was also resolved to approach the committee of the Mechanics' 1 Institute regarding the taking over of the institution by the Corporation.