A £10,000 LOAN FOR SOUTH DUNEDIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6740, 21 September 1883, Page 3

A £10,000 LOAN FOR SOUTH DUNEDIN.

A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held in Naumaun's Hall, South Dunedin, last evening. About 200 ratepayers' were present. . The Mayoe, who occupied the chair, explained that the meeting had boen called for theipurpoae of discussing the proposal of the Borough Council to borrow £10,000. In answer to a question from a ratepayer, ho stated that the iichedule of works had been drawn up by Ore-Apploby, Carey, Thomas, and himself, assisted by other members of the Council."

The Borough Clerk read .the schedule of works'.- . . '... .',.'.'. ■ . . ~ -.■ '• The Mayor'said that some of the works in the schedule had been over-estimated,' and would perhaps cost one-fifth or one-third less. The Council guaranteed to do this work, but would not be bound to expend all the money allocated if it. were not: required. Concerning the reclamation of the 10-acro endowment, he stated tbat Mr Rolleston had guaranteed' to provide sand for nothing, and also to give Erison labour. In reply to some questions, c said he should support the raising of the loan. There was only the alternative of either borrowing, or paying a special rate. The banker had promised him that if sufficient money were deposited in the Bank to cover the water account he would pay Mr Burt's account.

Mr J. Dowxky wanted to know if the Mayor would see that no councillor was drunk when dealing with the money of the loan were raised.—(Laughter and uproar.) Mr M'Bkidk said that he did not want it to be understood that he was absolutely opposed to the loan. If the ratepayers decided to raise it, he would take care that the ward he represented had its fair share. He had to object to the manner in which the whole affair, was got up. The thing Bhould have been put on a proper basis and laid before the ratepayers in .a legal manner. .-If- the loan were raised a special rate would be necessary. He was not opposed to a special rate so long as he had the roads made. He pointed out that the present overdraft of £200Q would be increased, and it was simply a fallacy to say that one account would meet the other. The ordinary revenue could be used for loan works, but the loan money was not to be-touched for anything beyond that laid down in the schedule. Regarding the legal aspect of the question, he considered it was totally illegal from beginning to end. He quoted clauses of the Act in support of his contention, and submitted that the letter of the Act had not been adhered to at

all. ■ ■ . Several questions were asked and answered, the ratepayers during the time loudly marking their approbation or dissent. Mr G-. T. Clabkb was the next speaker. He recapitulated his views on tho loan question, supported tho previous speaker in his contention.regarding its legality, and submitted that a special rate was inevitable if the loan were raised. , . Mr Hkndkhsox was of opinion that the loau proposed was being carried along legally. He saw no necessity for a special rate. If tho loan wore raised the toads and footpaths in tho back streets would be formed, and on increase' of population result, which would necessarily increase the income of the Council, If they did not get the loan, then in another 10 years they would be just as bad as they wero nowtroubled with opi3n ditches and all manner of bad smells. ■■ .. Questions, interspersed with exclamations ot various descriptions by several of those prosent, were asked, and these were answered by Mr Henderson. .' : At 10.15 the Chairman was informed that the meeting could only last another quarter of an hour. The quarter was, however, occupied by Mr Quirk, who attempted to ask questions, but could not be heard in consequence of the uproar. Upon order being obtained, Mr Hogg gave his views' on the question before the meeting. He favoured the loan because there were many works whioh required execution. If things went on as at present, nothing would be done to the back streets. If tho loan was not got, there would be a heavy special rate to pay off the overdraft and meet other expenditure. The Mayor made a statement that a gentleman had promised to lend the money, if the loau were sanctioned, at 95 without commission ; that showed that the credit of the borough was Rood. He 'added that tenders would have to be called. Mr J. T. Rouuhton supported the raising of the money. ' . Mr Worthinoton' expressed himself against borrowing. ~ Tho M.U'OK aeked that the town ulcrk should

make a statement, because during the meeting insinuations had been made that everything connected with the loan was not being legally done. *

Several ratepayers objected to hear him as town clerk, and Mr Price objected to oxpluin official matters in any other capacity; if he were only allowed to speak as a ratepayer, he would say nothing. The Mayob asked that he should bo heard as town.clerk.—(Cries of "No" and "Yes," hooting, and clapping of hands. ' . Mr Pkicb said that he must take tho business from the commencement.—(His subsequent remarks were rendered inaudible by the ratepayers, who began to file out of the hall.) The Mayoh said that if the meeting was to bo at an end he would inform the ratepayers that a poll would'be taken on Saturday, 29th instv

Mr Clahkr moved—"That this meeting requests that no further action bo takon regard imr the loan." Tho Mayor ruled the motion out of order, and tho meeting terminated.