A CITY LOAN?

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8481, 16 July 1913, Page 7

A CITY LOAN?

RATEPAYERS TO DECIDE ORDINARY REVENUE INSUFFICIENT FOR URGENT WORKS. Last night tho City Council gave consideration to an important proposition by Councillor W. Id. F. Barber: — That with a view of carrying out without furtner delay a numoer ox desirable works, viz; Constable street extension (tram), Oriental Bay esplanade, tepid swimming baths, JxilOirnie recreation ground, and any other work considered argent, the finance committee be instructed to consider the advisability of submitting a loan for tne approval of the ratepayers, so that provision can be maue to coaipluto those important works in the near future, rather than that they should oo postponed for a number of years v inch will be necessary if the funds ere to

be provided out of re/enue. The motion, said Councillor Barber, was absolutely non-committal. It was woll known that the ordinary finances of the council did not permit the allocation of a sum sufficient for the city’s needs. One important matter for which money was urgently required was the erection of a fire brigade station in such a position as to protect adequately the thickly populated area to the east of Mount Victoria. Unless loan money were available for the Constable street tramway extension it would be very mauy years before tho council out of revenue could complete this most necessary work. Tho same remark applied to a number of other urgent proposals. If the council was to be progressive it must go to the ratepayers and ask lor a loan.

“How much do you want?” asked a councillor.

“I will leave it to the experts to draw up their reports and estimate the expenditure,” said Councillor Barber in reply. Councillor Frost seconded the motion. He pointed out that in many of tho outlying districts streets remained unformed simply because sufficient money was not available for the purpose. This should not bo permitted to continue. It would be much better to carry out urgent works by loan money than by an increase in tho general rates. WHY NOT A SMALL RATEP

* Councillor Fitzgerald said his opinion was that it would have been much bettor_to strike- a small rate lor the provision of necessary conveniences. As the council, however, had not agreed with him on this point, ho would support the motion. Councillor Tregear said that a loan appeared to be the only way by which the works required could be carried out.

It was urged by Councillor Hindmarsh that tho time was not opportune just now to raise a loan, though he admitted that the works specified were desirable. He congratulated Councillor Barber on his “boom and burst” policy. The motion was supported by Councillors Fuller, Godber, Buckie, Fletcher and McKenzie. BIG ALLOCATIONS FOR THE SUBURBS. The Mayor said that the outlying districts were this year given much more expenditure than they had ever had. Their allocations were far and away in excess of those of the city. He Would support the motion if Couni oilier Barber would delete the words “without further delay.” Councillor Barber did not adopt the suggestion, and Councillor Wright moved the deletion as an amendment. “It’s an absolutely dishonest thing,” declared Councillor Hindmarsh. Councillor Fitzgerald said that the council might just as woll announce at once that it was not going to raise a loan this year. Tho suggested deletion would absolutely spoil an otherwise desirable resolution. Tho amendment was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor. As a further amendment Councillor Fletcher moved to insert, in place ol the deleted words,, the wuids, “at the earliest possible moment,” out thi: was ruled out of order by the Mayor.

In reply ou the main question, Councillor Barber pointed out that the loan could not possibly be submitted to the ratepayers until woll into . the next year, owing to the time that would bo occupied in making the necessary arrangements. It was impossible to increase the rates (as had been suggested) sufficiently to carry out nil the works which had been authorised. The motion as amended was carried by twelve votes to four. Negative votes were cast by Councillors Atkinson, Fitzgerald, Hindmarsh, and McKenzie.