RANGIORA REJECTS LOAN PROPOSAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17863, 3 June 1926, Page 10

RANGIORA REJECTS LOAN PROPOSAL.

DOES NOT WANT HIGH PRESSURE WATER SUPPLY. The proposal of the Rangiora Borough Council to borrow £72,000 for the carrying out of a high pressure water supply and sewerage scheme, and purchasing a motor fire pump was submitter to the vote of the ratepayers yesterday, but was rejected. The result of the poll was: — For proposal 259 Against proposal 329 against 70 Informal votes 13. There are 815 ratepayers on the roll 601 of whom recorded their votes. The votes were counted in about a quarter of an hour and a few people gathered to hear the result announced by the Returning Officer (Mr O. Machattie). The announcement was received quietly, and later when a fair crowd had collected the Mayor (Mr R. M’lntosh), addressing those present, expressed regret at the result. He said that the council had carried out its promise made at the last election to have the scheme prepared and submitted to the ratepayers. The matter now rested with the Health authorities. He severely criticised a letter published in a Christchurch newspaper on the morning of the polling day, which he alleged was full of untruths calculated to affect the issue. Both Councillors Ilorrell and Jennings gave it as their opinion that the Health authorities would now step in and compel the council to carry out the scheme. The question was submitted to those present as to whether they would favovir a loan of £2OOO for a motor fireengine and improvements to the fire alarm system and a reply was given to the affirmative. Before dispersing cheers were given for Mr E. Fletcher Roberts, the consulting engineer who prepared the scheme. The councillors afterwards met in committee and decided upon certain proposals to submit at the next regular meeting of the council in regard to future action in relation to the,schemes, the hope of carrying them' out not being abandoned. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Roberts for the excellent service he had rendered in preparing the schemes, and the hope was expressed that he would yet be engaged to carry them out. In acknowledging the vote Mr Roberts said he had never previously had such pleasant relations with a local body, which he had served as he had experienced in Rangiora. and he thanked the councillors for the considerate way in which they had treated him.