DEVONPORT AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22515, 4 September 1936, Page 15

DEVONPORT AFFAIRS

In reply to "Solon, Junr.," in the Herald of September 1, my reason for re-introducing the matter of the Municipal Buildings at the Devonport Borough Council meeting was not to add to the burden of the ratepayers, but to save them a very considerable sum in the near future. The proposal was to erect in Devonport a building that would be a credit to the town, in conjunction with the Waitemata Power Board, the Library Committee and Plunket Association. The rents received from these bodies would cover all the interest on the loan. In addition, we were to receive £IOOO from the Library Committee and a 5 per cent subsidv from the Government. Unless we avail ourselves of this agreement now an opportunity will be missed that can never , occur again. When a car becomes too expensive on repairs the wise owner trades it in. Wo can trade in our old wooden building now for a modern, fireproof, handsome structure at not one penny cost to the ratepayers. These are facts which I am prepared to go on any platform and substantiate. I do not intend, however, to enter into a newspaper discussion on the matter. I claim that the present Mayor and council arc the best protection against extravagant and undue expenditure that Devonport has ever had. They have put in a lot of time and trouble to evolve a scheme to benefit the town, and in my °P in,on it was turned down at the poll because those who voted against it did so like "Solon, Jnnr.," not realising the facts. H. J. Hutchings. 7 Marine Square, Devonport.