MUNICIPAL WORKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3280, 27 July 1911, Page 5

MUNICIPAL WORKS.

FURTHER LOAN OF £113,000 SUC-

CESTED.

COMMUTE TO INVESTIGATE.

BOROUCH ENGINEER TO REPORT.

It has long been common knowledge to even the man on the street that the amount set apart under the loan proposals was inadequate to carry out the different works. The matter came out in an acute form at the meeting of the Borough Council last night, when Or. Collins moved in terms of his notice of motion: — “That a committee of the whole Council be set up and requested to report as follows to the Council: The possible amount over and above the present loan raised, it will require to carry out the proposed municipal works in their entirety. Further, that the Borough Engineer be permitted to consult such authorities as he deems necessary for the purpose of obtaining full information for the above committee.” In speaking to his motion, Cr. Collins said he had left over bringing this motion forward in the hope that the Mayor would have included consideration of such an important matter _to the borough when liis Investigation Committee had been at work. In this, however, he had been disappointed. It was patent to all that the loan proposals had been underestimated, and it was time the Council faced the position squarely, and placed the true position fairly before the ratepayers. There was, he stated, an actual shortage of £90,000 on the present loan proposals made up as follows : £ Roads 50,000 Electric light 15,000 Waterworks 15,000 Sewerage 15,000 The inadequate sum of £2OOO was all that was available for construction in connection with the electric lighting scheme, and all were aware this was ridiculously inadequate. He estimater that another loan of at least £113,000 would he required. This amount he allocated approximately as follows:—Headworks £IO,OOO, Storm water £SOOO, roads £50,000, electricity £15,000, Trams £15,000, Sewerage £lO,000, Cemetery £2,500, and Hospital £5,500. In addition to this it might yet be found that the Council would have to go in for a loan for the Gentle Annie tramway. They would have to face these questions individually very soon, and it was better that the Council should resolutely face the position. A committee of the whole Council could go into the matter of the full amount that was required, and the sooner this was done the better. Cr. Darton seconded the motion, stating that they all knew they must go for a loan. They must get money to put the headworks of the water supply in order, and further money must also be provided for electric light and sewerage. The Council should take immediate steps to ascertain what amount was required, and let the ratepayers know where they stood. They should provide for each work an adequate amount, so that it would not be necessary to raise any further loans. Cr. Smith said there was a certain sum set apart for electric lighting, but the Council had gone in for an improved scheme. He was in favor of a committee being set up to go into the amount required. He thought, however, it was hardly fair to try and make out that the loan proposals had been underestimated by the amount they now required. A good deal of the money was needed for works which had not been provided for in the prev sent loan. Crs. Sawyer and Brown were both of opinion that the sooner they knew what amount the borough required for necessary works the better.

The motion was put and carried, Cr Harris alone dissenting.