MUNICIPAL OFFICES.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18441, 23 September 1931, Page 3

MUNICIPAL OFFICES.

THE ALMA STREET SITE. PROTEST BY RATEPAYERS. VOTE SHOULD BE TAKEN. A motion urging the Hamilton Borough Council to defer for three months the question of erecting municipal offices In Alma Street and to ascertain the views of the ratepayers by means of a poll was carried at a publlo meeting at the Frankton Town Hall last night. The chair was occupied by Mr C. E. Tindle, secretary of the Frankton Ratepayers’ Association, and the meeting was addressed by Cr. C. Lafferty. The gathering was not a large one.

Mr Lafferty regretted the absence of Cr. Barton, who had been laid aside through sickness. Cr. Dillicir also was confined to his bed. Criticising ihe proposal to erect the new municipal chambers in Alma Street, the speaker described this spot as a dangerous one, a site not easily approached by car traffic, and where it was difficult even for a car to turn. He contended that municipal chambers should be placed in a central and prominent position easily accessible The Alma Street site was difficult also from the standpoint that the foundations would be insecure and would have to go down a considerable depth at great expense. Mr Bcagley: Nonsense. Mr Lafferty: It is not nonsense. You will have an opportunity of asking questions later. You might at least listen to someone who is trying to place the position before you, someone who knows more than you do.

Mr Beagley: I doubt it. Mr Lafferty pointed out that tho money proposed to be spent belonged to the ratepayers, and the ratepayers certainly should be permitted to say as to how it -should be expended. It was morally wrong for the council to spend money in this .way, when the expenditure might be in direct opposition to the will of the ratepayers. Hamilton had far better sites for Us municipal offices than a back street, sites where the building would show to advantage,, where it would bo easily reached, and where it would serve the greatest convenience. Originally the river hank at the rear of Alma Street was a rubbish tip. If the council proceeded without a loan to spend £IO,OOO on a municipal building the rates must, he contended, Inevitably be increased. The old building had been sold, and personally he considered the council, had made a very good deal in disposing of it for £2OOO. It cost only £3OOO originally, and it was now old and decayed and would cost a lot of money to renovate. Opposition “ Pure Cussodnsss.” The speaker expressed the view •that if a loan were raised for the new building the rents from the various departments occupying the building should bring in approximately £ISOO a year. Tills would pay Iho interest and sinking fund on tho loan. The £IO,OOO which it was proposed to filch from the trading departments could then be spent on permanent works, such as footpaths, as has been promised, or in a reduction of rates. Mr Beagley criticised Cr. Laffcrty’s views, declaring that for the first time in the history of ttie borough a fund had been accumulated from endowments, and It was absurd for a man to stand up and advocate borrowing £IO,OOO at Interest when we actually had the money In hand.

Mr Lafferty answered that only a small sum came from rents. A largo part of the balance of the fund had been taken from the profits from the trading departments. Mr Elliott said the council had reached a decision on this point, and lie asked if anything done by that meeting would result In an alteration of this decision. Mr Lafferty said a notice of motion had been tabled to rescind the Alma Street resolution. If the council remained of its present mind, however It would appear that the original motion would stand. In answer to a question as to how the council voted on the question, the speaker said there were *six in favour of and four opposed to the Alma Street site. The four opponents of the scheme were Messrs Dlllicar, Barton, Nlsbet and the speaker. One councillor was In England. Asked if tlie ratepayers had any redress against the council in this matter, the chairman said lie felt that if public opinion was sufficiently well voiced public opinion must win. Mr Beagley described ihe present opposition as pure cussedness. Lack of Public Interest Deplored. The chairman deplored tho lack of public interest in the town’s affairs, but lie emphasised that if the ratepayers raised their voices loud enough on any proposal they could force the council’s hand.

Mr Lafferty said Uicre were 1500 houses In Franklon and about 41)00 electricity consumers in iho borough. It was not right iiiat out of the prollts of the electricity department £3OOO or £4OOO should be taken and devoted to such a purpose as municipal offices. Would It not be more equitable either to reduce the rates, give the consumers light and power at a cheaper price, or spend the money on providing people who did not possess it with decent access to their homes. Answering a further question, Mr Lafferty said the Alma Street site had already been submit led to a poll and had been rejected by the ratepayers. The. speaker, in reply io Mr K. j. Davev, said ills notice of motion was lo rescind the Alma Street resolution and lo set up a committee to investigate and report on other sites. A member of the audience thought Or. Lafferty was to be commended for throwing light on the position. He agreed that the present accumulated fund should be spent either on relieving Hie rales or lie spent on permanent works for the benefit of Iho present generation of ratepayers Answering a further question, Mr Lafferty said he would lie quite ready to abide by the will of the ratepayers on Ihi.s matter, but the ratepayers should cerlulnly have the right to vole. Mr Lafferty moved that the. council lie urged io suspend Hie question of erecting municipal ofliecs for three months, and in the meantime they should consider other available sites and the advisability of getting the opinion of the ratepayers by means of a poll. Tlie motion was carried unanimously. Mr Lafferty was accorded a vole of thanks for Ids address.