“UNREDEEMED PROMISES”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12392, 11 March 1926, Page 6

“UNREDEEMED PROMISES”

ISLAND BAY NEEDS FIRE BRIGADE, WHARF, FOOTPATHS “A LITTLE BIT DISSATISFIED” “We have not come in a faultfinding spirit, but one of co-opera-tion, although there is no hiding the fact that we are getting a little bit dissatisfied.” In these words the leader of an Island Bay deputation opened his case to the. works committee yesterday, which was an insistent demand for something practical towards carrying out some at least of long-promised improvements at Island Bay. There were half a dozen delegatee, and Mr G. R. C. Jackman stated that there were nine or ten works which bad been applied for; the fire brigade, Dover street corner, High street and Mersey street, the parade footpath and the completion of the asphalting. Some of these things had been on the books four or five years, leaving out the question of the fishing wharf. They wanted to know when some of these, works were going on. They realised the council’s difficulties but if they at Island Bay did not push their own barrow they would be left in the lurch. Two years ago they were promised that in nine months the fire brigade would be an established fict. They were still waiting. In reference to the fish wharf they deputationised the Mayor last week. They now asked when there was going to be finality in regard to some of the more serious masters, notably the. wharf, fire brigade and footpaths. NOT yALUE FOR MONEY Mr E. Boocook urged the need of asphalting part of the area on the western side of the bay, which was very uneven, and was brought forward five or six years ago. The ratepayers in that area paid £IOOO a ye§r in rates, and had come to the conclusion that they wero not getting value for their money. Mr W. L. McLean talked about the wharf and the need for it, referred to fish lying in the sun on the beach, and dirty boats preventing people using the beach, painting a rather unsavoury picture. “That sort of thing does not create an impression of cleanliness,” he said, and now there was some talk of spending £20,000 on putting the wharf on the island. Now they asked the council to take it seriously in hand.' There was plenty of gravel. Mr R. A. Wright: Is there plenty of water? Mr McLean replied that several launches went up there to unload. It was time the council redeemed some of the promises made, for the place was a disgrace at time's. The caretaker had done what he conic, but these were matters he could not deal with. It was. itated that the estimate for the work was £2500, and £1250 from the Government.

INCONTROVERTIBLE The chairman said he could not controvert the statements which had been made, but the works the committee could do were limited by finance, and new districts were costing a great deal. The spirit was willing, but the finance committee was weak. The council did not Wish to increase the rates if it could be avoided, but '-here were works of necessity which had to be done. With regard to the fire brigade, if the council did not put this through, as there was a likelihood of a fire board being established, they would make representations to the hoard to make the prov’sion which had been promise*!. So far, as 'lie wharf was concerned, there appeared to be some doubt as to whether the water was deep enough, as in the last two or three years the number of 'launches had increased, they were larger and had more draught. He hoped they would be able to find some way out of the difficulty, but if it meant anything like £20,000 he would say at once that there was not a shadow of a chance that they would get it. To suggest that was only clouding the issue and putting the thing up in the clouds. There was the storm water drain in Clyde street which had to be provided, and which would cost £2OOO, and would be put on the est ; ma.tes. He himself lived in a street whore rates had been paid for’4o years, but the council did not spend £5 there. The light failed at this moment, and the chairman concluded, “Although we are in the dark now, I hope we shall see the l : ght soon.” (Laughter and hear, hear!) Mr Jackman said they were not unmindful of the tremendous hurdle the council had before them owing to the new suburbs, hut they could not let their district lag behind. They, were concerned when these works, promised year after year, were not touched.