Plebiscite on Town Hall Proposal

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 67, 20 March 1937, Page 3

Plebiscite on Town Hall Proposal

DECISION OF FEILDING BOROUGH COUNCIL. At its meeting on Thursday evening the Feilding Borough Council debated at length the question of tho proposal concerning a town hall for Feilding when it was decided to refer the question for finality to the ratepayers. After the report on the question had been roceived from the committee set up to investigate the position and to make recommendations, the council proceeded to deal with the proposal of the Mayor that a plebiscite be taken on the following questions:— 1. Aro you in favour of building a Town Hall? 2. Are you in favour of carrying out the scheme as laid down by the Mayor? 3. Are you in favour of building a Town Hall on any other site? In moving tho proposition that a plebiscite be taken, the Mayor (Mr T. Collins) said that as the council seemed hopelessly divided on the subject, it would be better to allow tho ra.v-ayers the opportunity of deciding tho issue. If the vote went against the proposal he would bo happy to drop the w'hole thing. He considered the proposal of the committoe for a municipal block too costly whereas his proposition -would be more or less self-supporting. As to the cost of the plebiscite the Mayor offered to bear the whole cost which the council would recognise as a fair offer. He was keen about reaching finality on tho question and hoped that this opportunity would be availed of. Cr. E. Fair seconded tho proposition but suggested that two points alone were sufficient, namely: (1) Are you in favour of building a Town Hall and (2) Are you in favour of the present site. Cr. W. W. Andrews expressed opposition to the proposal and said that he should not be dictated to by the ratepayers.

For the reason that he did not consider it necessary for tho council to provide another hall, more shops and another picture show for Feilding, Cr. A. J. Kellow was opposed to the plebiscite and to him the scheme proposed by tho Mayor was unnecessary..

Cr. V. E. Smith was in favour of the motion and expressed the opinion that the time had arrived when Feilding should have a Town Hall.

Cr. A. C. McCorkindale favoured the idea of ascertaining tho wishes of tho ratepayers on the subject but was not prepared to support the plebiscite ‘suggested by the Mayor. He did not consider further shops were desired nor that the council should engage in tho picture show business. However, a hall seemed to be needed and he would have liked the Council to consider more fully the proposal of the sub-committee for a municipal block.

In the further discussion Cr. Fair was unable to agree that the Mayor should undertake to bear the cost of the taking of the plebiscite.

Cr. T. L. Seddon was in favour of the sub-committee’s report but it was for the council to say whether a hall was necessary and at what time. The idea of going to the ratepayers for a decision appealed to him as one of weakness. The council should not shirk its duty. While admitting that tho Mayor hai put a lot of time into the proposal for a Town Hall ho was unable to support the taking of a plebiscite. The Mayor was unable to understand the attitude of those councillors who did not wish to receive a direction from the ratepayers on the subject. Following further discussion Cr. Kellow moved an amendment that the question be deferred until the next Municipal elections but this lapsed for the want of a seconder.

A further amendment was moved by Cr. McCorkindale as follows:-

That a plebiscite be taken on the fol-liwin-g questions:—

1. Are you in favour of building a Town Hall on the lines of the Mayor’s scheme?

2. Aro you in favour of building a Municipal Block and Town Hall on the present council land?

Cr. P. G. Guy seconded the amendment which was carried by ono vote, the voting being as follows:—Ayes, the Mayor and Crs. Fair, McCorkindale, Smith and Guy. Noes: Crs. Seddon, Andrews, Kellow and Darragh.