DEVONPORT WATER LOAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12653, 6 September 1904, Page 6

DEVONPORT WATER LOAN.

STANLEY POINT DRAINAGE. MEETING- OF RATEPAYERS. _ THE PROPOSALS CARRIED. A MEETING of ratepayers in the Devonporfc Borough was held at the Council Chambers last night to consider the question of the proposed special loan of £17,250 for water supply, drainage, etc. The Mayor (Mr. E._ W. Alison) presided. He said:—The first proposal was one which it was absolutely imperative should be undertaken —that was the clause referring to the provision for additional pumping plant, machinery, etc., to enable the borough to obtain a largelyincreased water supply. That it was imperatively necessary this should be undertaken he felt sure they would all agree. The Council had arrived at an unanimous conclusion to adopt the larger scheme of two submitted, as not only being the safe one, but the most economical. Referring to the' Stanley Point drainage proposal Mr. Alison said £1000 was required with which to complete this. This was Mr. Metcalfe's estimate of the cost of carrying out a scheme to drain the point. The necessity i for drainage at the point had been felt for some time by the residents there, and recognised by the Council, and an endeavour was made to obtain the money from the Government under the provisions of the Public Health and Loans to Local Bodies Acts. The requirements of the law were fully complied with by the Council. The chief health officer recommended and the Minister approved, but after prolonged delay the Council was informed that the stringency of the money market prevented the Government lending the money. This work was essential to ensure the health of the people at Stanley Point. The next proposal was to raise £850 with which to purchase a stone crusher. The borough owned a splendid metal pit on Mount Cambria. There was a fine face of metal some 50ft to 60ft high, but a. large quantity of the scoria was not utilisable on account of its being in large pieces. Most of these large pieces are the best metal in the pit ? but with the present prioe of labour it did not pay to have it broken by hand. The final proposal was to borrow £1000 to construct a retaining wall along the foreshore, between the Admiralty reserve next to the Calliope Dock and the eastern boundary line of the old summer and winter gardens. During the past few years the sea had been rapidly encroaching on the road, especially about opposite Garden Terrace, and unless a wall was constructed there would be a continuous eating away of tha foreshore. The Mayor then moved, " That this meeting approves of the loan proposals of £17,250, as lately advertised, and presented to this meeting." Mr. Handley seconded the motion, which was carried. ■-'.-•■ Mr. Handley then moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor (Mr. Alison), who had come all the way from Wellington to be present. This was carried unanimously.