DECISION MADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 9

DECISION MADE

PURCHASE OF GRADER PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH COUNCIL The decision to purchase a grader valued at £3OOO was reached by the Port Chalmers Borough Council last night after a stormy discussion. The Mayor, Mr T. Anderson, and other councillors spoke in support of the proposal, some councillors withdrawing previous objections to the purchase and speaking in favour of I will have no part in placing another millstone around the necks of the ratepayers,” said Cr F. C. Smith, who was the only dissentient voter. He maintained that the borough roads were not in a condition to be improved by the use of a grader; they needed metal first. A previous purchase of a roller by the council had been ill-advised. It had lain idle for the greater part of each year. The Mayor, Mr Anderson, explaining that “ this was the motor age,” said thai modern road construction did not require a " crown.” The grader would be a much cheaper aid to road maintenance than the hiring of other boroughs’ graders. The Borough Council of Green Island had also realised this fact, and he was sure his council would find a source of revenue from the grader, which could be hired to the Waikouaiti County Council among others. The chairman of the Works Committee, Mr G. Forgie, said the aim should be to tar-seal the borough roads with their own tar. The committee could quote Mr Churchill’s famous words: "Give us the tools and we will do the work.” A recommendation by the chairman of the Works Comlnittee, Cr W. D. Campbell, for the construction of a water reservoir at Sawyers’ Bay was opposed by Cr Watson. The latter moved as an amendment that the council concur with the recommendation of the borough engineers—" that a reservoir be constructed at Cedar Farm.” The Mayor said he could not accept the amendment unless a motion accepting the Sawyers’ Bay proposal was rescinded. This would require notice of motion a week before a meeting of the council.—Cr Watson described the rejection of his amendment as “ childish.” The borough valuer, Mr L. R. Rhodes, was appointed assessor for the Assessment Court. It was explained, in reply to many queries, that no notice should be taken by ratepayers of the recent Government valuation of their properties. It would not affect the rates paid to the council.