CASHMERE HILLS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1786, 4 November 1919, Page 7

CASHMERE HILLS.

LOAN PROPOSALS CONSIDERED. A meeting of Cashmere residents was held last evening to consider loan proposals by the Heathcote County Councif for sewerage, water and electrical extensions, roading, channelling and other works. Mr J. C. Prudhoe was in the chair.

Mr Ok M. Hall, one of the representatives of the Cashmere Biding on the Hcathcote County Council, explained that a good deal of preliminarywork had been done, and a fairly comprehensive scheme had been planned, but it had been thought advisable to hold a preliminary meeting before advertising the loan schedule, in order to explain what was- proposed, and to receive any suggestions that might be offered. He stated that the approximate valuation of the area affected was £309,350, and it was estimated that the rate required to pay interest at 5J per cent., and sinking fund at 1 per cent., on the necessary loan of £14,000, would be Jd in the £. The proposed expenditure was to be spread over concrete culverts and 'drains, £574; culverts, £205; footpath formation, £350; kerbs, channels and asphalting, £1786; road formation, metalling, etc., £2290; sewage filtration, £180; sewers, £1685; sundry additions, £250; electrical extensions, £260; water reticulation, duplication of pumps, etc., £750; new reservoir and repairs to the present reservoir on Hackthorne Boad, £1000; fire prevention, £IOOO. The item for fire prevention was only approximate. Mr Hall combated the arguments of those ratepayers who were opposed to the formation by the council of the road at Professor Macmillan Brown's property, by saying that the Cashmere Besidents' Association of former years had made a compact with the owner of the property to have the road formed, and he felt that it was the duty of the council and the ratepayers to honour that compact. Mr Hall stated further that it might be suggested that some of the work might be done out of general rates, but the position was that the Cashmere Biding was in debt, and it was not possible to do anything without a loan. There was a greatly increased demand for current, and it was necessary to increase the carrying capacity of the wires. The whole system would have to be overhauled, more wires fitted, and a transformer erected at the top of Hackthorne Boad. Of course, a good deal of the expenditure for which authority was asked in connection with electrical installation would not take place until the necessity arose, but it would be as well to have the authority. In answer to an inquiry, Mr Hall stated that the sinking fund would provide for the paying off of the loan in 36 years.

The chairman asked why the formation of roads should be made a charge upon the whole body of the ratepayers, instead of, as was usual, falling upon those property-owners who were subdividing their properties. Mr Hall explained that the roads in question were'paper roads, provided for many years ago, although never constructed, and it was the duty of the local body concerned to form them. It was decided, on the motion of Mr ,A. Mitchell, seconded by Mr E. C. Huie, that the meeting approve of the suggested loan, and authorise the members for the riding to proceed with the necessary steps. There were two dissentients. Mr Huie said he thought the'question of joining Greater Christchurch should be considered. The following were elected a committee to investigate the matter:— Messrs E. C. Huie, P. Graham, J. C. Prudhoe, J. Murray, G. M. Hall, W. Scarff, W. B. Carey and C. Thornton.