ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 2, 12 December 1911, Page 5

ELECTRIC LIGHT.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION ABOUT

THE LOAN

CR. PAGET NOT SATISFIED,

At last night’s meeting of the Borough Council a letter was received from the fclccrotury of the Anstnihisian Mutual Provident Society, who wrote re a loan of £14,000 by tho Council, and stated the matter had been placed before the directors, and they now advised that they would be prepared to consider an application for a loan at 4 $ per cent, interest, principle to be payable in Sydney. The Mayor moved that the letter bo hold over till some future date. Or. Paget moved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee to report on. He asked what the Finance Committee were there for, that the matter should not be referred to them, instead of being held up indefinitely. “Are you great pro-elec-tric people afraid to fight over the question,” he added, “or are y'ou waiting for the great Sidney Ward to rotul-n and wake you up?” (Laughter.) The Mayor said he was in negotiation with the Government at present.

Cr. Paget: “Why are we kept in; the dark?” He wanted to know on whose authority the Mayor was acting. The Mayor: “On the Council’s and my own.” He did not think he was doing wrong in making negotiations with the Government if there was a hope of getting the money there more cheaply than from private institutions.

Cr. Paget objected to what lie termed “this hole-and-corner business.”

Cr. King said that if Cr. Paget had been at the last meeting he would nave known all about it.

Cr. Paget: I could not be there, as you know, and some of you wore mighty glad I wasn’t there.” Cr. King: “I don’t care if you were there or not.”

Cr. Paget continued to speak, and Cr. King rose to a point of order, and said the resolution had been put and carried. Cr. Paget: “Mr. Masters is in tho chair. No doubt Cr. King thinks he could fill the position ranch bettor.” The Mayor ruled that the motion had not been put, but no further discussion ensued, and the motion was put to the meeting. On the voices, Or. Paget called for a division amidst general laughter. Tho motion was carried.