PROPOSAL ENDORSED

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1935, Page 8

PROPOSAL ENDORSED

LOAN FOR DRAINAGE WORKS. HAWERA POLL SUCCESSFUL. Unqualified approval. of the Hawera Borough Council’s proposal to raise a loan of £4900 for essential work on the present drainage system was expressed by ratepayers at the poll conducted yesterday, votes for the proposal forming nearly 96 per cent, of the total. The figures as announced by the returning officer, Mr. H. S. Elliott, ten minutes after the poll closed were: — For the proposal 186 Against 7 Informal 1 Total votes cast 194 Majority for proposal 179 Not a great deal of interest was shown in the ballot, the number of votes cast being only 12 per cent, of the number eligible, approximately 1600. “The result of the poll is very pleasing,” said the Mayor (Mr. J. E. Campbell), speaking to a News representative when the result was declared, “as the council is now able to go ahead with work that is absolutely necessary." Although there had been a general lack of interest in the goll, continued Mr. Campbell, it was evident by the voting that the majority of ratepayers approved of the council's policy, or there would have been more than seven votes against the proposal. Evidently ratepayers had thought the result such a foregone conclusion that they had not bothered to vote on such a busy day. Arrangements for work to proceed on January 3 would now be completed, when on the Mayor. It was intended to begin with’ the relaying of the sewer pipes /in Glover and Turuturu Roads, where the infiltration was worst. The weather had been so dry that this was possible and it was .desired to complete that section first; it was the most lowlying part of the system and the pipes in that area became submerged by ground water first. When the defects had been remedied there while the weather was suitable it would be possible to proceed with the streets on higher land where the infiltration was not so great. That part of the work would be done out of revenue account, added Mr. Campbell, but the council v/ould immediately take steps to raise the loan authorised. It was desired to remedy as soon as possible defects in the system that had caused so much anxiety, and it was believed that by the time the whole work was completed the system would giveno further trouble. “It must be remembered, of course,” concluded the Mayor, “that the loan is for the repair of existing sewers and does not include any provision for new sewers. That question and the matter of the water supply will help to make 1936 a busy year for the council.” Patea Blanket Party. Santa Claus had no difficulty in getting the children to follow him in the grand march at the annual Plunket party at Patea on Friday. Many fancy dresses added an additional note of gaiety to the festivities. In addition to a party feast those present were entertained at a picture programme given by the management of Patea Pictures Ltd.