Borough Stormwater Prevention: Loan Decision Rescinded

Northern Advocate, 13 July 1938, Page 6

Borough Stormwater Prevention: Loan Decision Rescinded

AFTER CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION. THE VVHANGAREI BOROUGH COUNCIL DECIDED LAST PLIGHT TO RESCIND ITS RESOLUIICN ADOPTING THE FORMER BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT OF FEBRUARY 8 ON STORMWATER RETICULATION AND MODIFICATIONS OF THE SANITARY SEWERAGE SYSTEM.

In place of this resolution, it was decided to instruct the engineer to bring forward a scheme for the installation of stormwater diuinagc. modi fication of the sanitary sewerage system, flood prevention measures and the construction of bridges and approaches.

In terms of the previous resolution the council Iras already given public notice of Its intention to raise a loan of £28,200. When the rescinding motion was put to the vote at last nights meeting, the Mayor, Mr. v». Jones, was the only tine who voted against it.

The rescinding motion was moved Cr. J. W. Parkin.

by Cr. H. N. James and seconded by

Mayor Favours Loan

“At the outset I must say 1 r.m not in favour of rescinding the motion.said the Mayor. “Some time ago. the council instructed its then engineer to bring down a scheme, which was fully investigated. We knew even before we had an estimate that it would cost a great deal of money. We considered it better to go ahead with the whole scheme than re do any curtailing. ‘T am going to stand by what we have worked up to. If wo go ahead with the scheme, and then find we do not need all the money alocaled, then we need not go ahead with the full estimated expenditure. But if we go ahead with small schemes, and later find we need more money, what will be the position?” Cr. F. C. H. Cowan wished to know if, by adhering to the resolution, the present engineer, Mr. I. A. Cromie, would be tied to the previous engineer’s scheme. The Mayor: Certainly not, certainly not. What work is done in this scheme is in the hands of this council, and never leaves it. Cr. Cowan: Personally. I wouldn't like to see the present engineer tied to a previous engineer's plans. The Engineer’s Position. Cr, D. J. Thomson: I believe the previous engineer’s plan was adopted in toto by the then council, and I understood the plan was to be proceeded with in this way. It would be a waste of time our present engineer bringing down his own scheme. The Mayor: He is only criticising the previous engineer's plans. Cr. Thomson: By cutting it about the plan would ultimately become his own. Cr. Parkin: We tried to put this off until the new council was elected. It appears we definitely tie the present engineer to the plans adopted. The engineer has to carry out the plan and accept responsibility for it. and I maintain he should have an opportunity of examining the proposal.

Cr. D. L. Smedley: Would we be definitely tied down to the scheme? The Mayor: No-, definitely no. The town clerk, Mr L. O. Hall, stated, in answer to inquiries, that the engineer had not been instructed to bring down a criticism of the scheme. This had merely been suggested, but there was no resolution to that effect.

Mayor’s Sole Contrary Vote

Cr. Parkin: Then I suggest wo rescind the motion and let Mr Cromie prepare his own scheme. This suggestion was favoured by Crs. Cowan and L. Reynolds. The Mayor: At present we are losing £IOOO per month by not availing ourselves of the subsidy on labour, but that is nothing if a bettor scheme is to be adopted. When the motion was put to the meeting, the only vote against rescinding the previous resolution was that of the Mayor.

The Alternative

A resolution moved by Cr. James to the effect that the council adopt the previous engineer’s report with regard to the Whau Valley, Northern King Street and the Waiarohfa Stream projects, and that the engineer be instructed to bring down proposals for the remainder of the scheme, lapsed for want of a seconder.

Cr. Reynolds then moved that the engineer be' instructed to bring down his own scheme. Cr. Thomson seconding this resolution.

Upon.being put to the council, the resolution was carried, the only dissentient votes being those of the Mayor. Cr. James and Cr. Parkin.