NEW FIRE STATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18761, 18 July 1935, Page 4

NEW FIRE STATION

BOROUGH COUNCIL STAND SREOIAL .MEETING GAGGED RUM ITS OF RATERA V GRS Members of the Gisborne Borough Council feel that the council should have been consulted before the Fire Board decided on its proposal to build a new tire station and cottages. They expressed this view at the council meeting last night, when it was decided to hold a special meeting next Wednesday, and to invite board mem hers to attend, so that the matter could lie discussed thoroughly. Gr. G. Bradley Smith brought, the matter up, and asked that a late letter to the council from the board should lie read. This was done by tile town clerk, Mr. W. M. Jenkins, the letter setting out the proposals os outlined in the Herald a few days ago. C'r. Smith said it was strange that tie Fire Board had decided on such a scheme without reference to the ratepayers. It was unfortunate that such a large sum of money had to he spent, now, for the Borough Council was look ing to give ratepayers some relief, which Had been desired for a long time. The station was it comparatively new one, and if it. was suitable when built it should be. so now. The augmentation of water supply must be considered also in regard to any expenditure in regard to the Fire Board, and hi thought that the matter was one which should have been discussed with tin Borough Council. . He bad no doubt that till; suggestions were good ones, but- Jte maintained that they should receive very careful consideration befoia the council decided whether it should object or not. The board was not compelled to submit the proposals to a poll :>f -ratepayers, who, lie felt certain, would not carry them. The council as the ratepayers' representatives should consider the matter very carefully. The only alternative, if July 29 was the last day to receive objections, would he to refer the matter to the finance committee with power to act. The Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P.: I think a special malting mignt be called of the whole council. Or. Smith then moved that the matter he referred to the finance committee, which should prepare a report for .submission to a special meeting of the council, and that members of the eoanl he uskeil to meet the council .it the special meeting. Or. H. JI. DeCosta, in seconding the motion, endorsed the view that the council should have been consulted. The Mayor said that lie was ignorant jf the matter. lie had attended the last meeting of the hoard for the first time since his rc-eloclion as Mayor, but the board seemed to have gone very thoroughly and methodically into Hit matter, and assured him that there would bo no extra cost to the ratepayers. The Loans Board would,have Hie power to decide whether the expenditure was necessary. Ho agreed that as the matter was one which affected the council, the finance committee should have tbo opportunity of going into it.

Cr. I). S. Thompson drew attention to the danger of collapse of the building in a major earthquake shock and the difficulty of married men finding accommodation near the station. Tfie work of erecting the new station would help to alleviate unemployment. Lr. 11. E. Maude said lie would like to know from the hoard what portion of the cost would be required for Gustation and also for the cottages, lievenue from the cottages might pay tin, cost on the outlay. Cr. N. 11. Bull agreed that the council should have had the opportunity to discuss the matter. He asked whom the new building would benefit. Would it benefit the ratepayers? The .Mayor: If we will have an olli- > ieul tire-fighting machine——. ~ ( - 1 ’: : But- we have, an efficient fire-fighting machine. ( r. Maude : \\ liieli might be rendered useless hv earthquake. It'was agreed eventually to hold a special meeting of the council next, W odnesday without a preliminary discussimi by the finance committee.