CITY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 8

CITY COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the City Council, which was held last night, was attended by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) and Crs J. Wilson. M. C. Henderson, R. Walls, J. W. Munro, MP., J. McCrae, H. L. Gibson. E. J. Smith, and P. G. Connolly. Cr Connolly Welcomed Welcoming Cr Connolly to the meeting, the Mayor said he knew they would benefit by Cr Connolly's experience and sound judgment, and that he in his turn would serve the city well. "I realise 1 have been elected to sponsor Labour's policy, which I think is a progressive one," Cr Connolly replied, " but I also stand for the city as a whole, and 1 hope that after a few months I will have al the councillors behind me in anything I bring forward." He thanked the council for its welcome to him. New Appointments Cr Walls was appointed chairman of the Water Committee and Cr Connolly was elected a member of the Trading Committees—Tramways, Gas, and Electric Power and Lighting. Tramways Committee When the report of the Tramways Committee was presented it was explained that provision had been made out of the department's loan of £10,500 for extensions at the tram sheds to house buses. Cr Connolly asked how much of the loan it was proposed to spend on that work Cr Gibson (who presented the report): About £2oo> " I had a look around the tram sheds on Saturday morning," Cr Connolly said, " ana in my opinion there is some much more important work 'that requires to be done." " But this money was raised for a specific purpose, and it must be spent for that purpose;" the Mayor explained. Cr Connolly: Well, it might be advisable to borrow more money fo give better facilities at the car sheds; I understand there is plenty of money available just now. I was surprised to find that at the ear sheds there is a paint shop which is not large onough to take the cars. " Well, you are on the Tramways Committee," the Mayor said, " and you will be able to bring it up there." Finance Committee When the report of the Finance Committee was under discussion Cr Munro said that one clause of the report stated that the council's loan requirements had, for the time being, been fully met. and that it would not be necessary to go on the market again for some months. He thought the sting was in the tail, and would like to know just what it meant.—The Mayor explained that authority had been received to raise various loans but it was no use raising money now foi work that was to be done within the next two years In the meantime. money would be used from general revenue and the loan raised as it was squired. Cr McCrae asked what was the posi. rion of a person who had subscribed to a council loan at 3J per cent now that the rate of interest had been raised to 4} per cent.—The acting chairman (Cr Smith) said it was an ordinary business risk. The Loans Board would never agree to such money being recalled and reissued at the- higher rate.