THE PHILSON PROPERTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11691, 28 June 1901, Page 6

THE PHILSON PROPERTY.

PROPOSALS FOR A LOAN. The City Council had before it last night a report from the Finance Committee, recommending that steps bo taken to raise a loan for the purpose of purchasing the valuable vacate; allotment opposite tho Municipal Buildings, known as Philson's property. Mr. F. E. Baume moved, "That this matter be referred back to the committee for tho purpose of including in the loan the moneys necessary for city streets, drainage, water supply, and tiro prevention." They should lay before the ratepayers a complete scheme for the formation of streets, water supply, drainage, end fire brigade appliances. He did not know what tho Council wanted this allotment, for. It had been said it was for a town hall, but the Council had a site for a town hall in Grey-street. Mr. Han nan said the site was no good.

Mr. Baume was surprised to hear that the site wf.,-, no good, after the many years the Council had held the site for this particular purpose. Under no circumstances would he vote for a single penny of money being obtained on loan for this purpose, unless it was a sum sufficient to complete nil necessary city works, The time had gone past for waiting: and shilly-shallying about public works, and unless the Council put an end to the inaction which had characterised their business for a long lime past they would certainly earn the opprobrium of all the citizens of Auckland. A certain number of public- works were absolutely necessary, and money had to be found for that work. It was not th» slightest uso saying the Council could not find the moneythey had to do the work and they must, find the money. The whole matter should be laid in detail before the ratepayers, and the onus should bo placed on. the ratepayers of accepting or rejecting the scheme. Mr. Stiehbury said that even if they borrowed (lie money they would have to pay the interest out of the loan, unless they got an Act passed to allow them to strike a higher rale than at present. The land was under option to the Council for three months;, end one month had already expired, so that it was imperative the matter should be attended to at once. Mr. Masefield said the Council would have to tako a ballot before they could get the money, and if they were not prepared to pay £10.000 for the land other people would. Mr. Itaumo's amendment was then put and defeated. A division being called for, the voting was as under:—For the amendment: Messrs. (Jan-all. Glover, Julian, Grey, and Baume: Against: Messrs. Hewson, PatterSon, Rosser, Barman, Masefield, Court, and. Stichbury. The Chairman (Mr. Pignan) declared the report adopted. Mr. Baume: I wish to move another amendment. The Chairman: You cannot move two amendments. Mr. Bauinc: After one amendment has been rejected — The Chairman: 1 ride that you cannot move it, and that the report is 'carried. Mr. Rosaor said he understood that only Mr. Bnumc's amendment- had been defeated. The Chairman said he put the other motion and ruled that it had been carried. Mr. Baume paid he would give notice of motion at a later stage, and subsequently did so, as follows:-"That no further stepsbe taken in connection with Ihe proposed purchase of Mrs. Philson's land until the Finance Committee have submitted to the Council a scliomo by which the money necessary for the purpose of city streets, drainage. water supply, and fire prevention may be obtained."