BIRKENHEAD LOAN SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 8

BIRKENHEAD LOAN SCHEME

FIRE BRIGADE AND WATER. ANOTHER POLL TO BE TAKEN The Birkenhead Borough Council last evening, by three votes to two, decided to submit to the ratepayers' a loan issue for £7000 for fire-fighting • apparatus, water services, and Birkdale culvert. The provision of fire-fighting equipment, including the erection of a fire station and alarm bells, the purchase of a motor fire engine and necessary gear, was estimated to cost £2000 the improvement of the water, supply reticulation in view of the extra pressure re* quired for fire-fighting purposes, and the extension of the water services to the outposts of the borough, was calculated to absorb £4000; and £1000 was needed for the construction of a new culvert in Puriri Road, Birkdale. The Mayor, Mr. A. Hadfield, in moving that these proposals be submitted to the ratepapers as one issue, referred to the Puriri Road culvert as a necessary work, which the council could not finance out of revenue, while the water extensions were also urgent, and in his opinion the fire brigade equipment was also necessary. There was very little chance of carrying the.culvert loan if placed before the ratepayers as a separate issue. In seconding the motion, Mr. T. Smith mentioned that the fire-fighting and water extension loan was defeated at the late poll by six votes only. Mr. A. Turner strongly supported the motion. „ Messrs. A. Bartlett and L. R. L. Moller said the council at a recent meeting decided not to move further in regard to the fire-fighting and water proposals in order not to hamper the new council, which would take office in May. As an amendment, they submitted that, the only loan proposal be for £1000 for the Puriri Roa-1 culvert. TLa amendment was lost by three votes to two. and the motion carried on the same voting. ~ Mr Bartlett recorded his protest against the procedure of submitting loan proposals on a majority of one vote out of an attendance of only five members. The, Mayor retorted that the ratepayers could endorse or reject the proposals as they desired.