WATER WILL FLOW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 172, 12 June 1940, Page 5

WATER WILL FLOW

OLD SUBJECT REVIVED A.GAIB COUNCIL DIVIDED IN OPINIO?* CASTING VOTE FOR CLEAN GUTTERS Many people have heard of water. Among other things it is debited with always finding its lowest level. Tea would lose its value without it. Some consider it valuable as a diluter. But mention water to a Whakatane Borough Councillor and he will immediately think of the Strand gutters. "Most subjects we discuss round this table are pretty dry" said one member of the Coun-f cil on Monday night, "but this is fairly wet. There's a bit of heat in it, too." The Councillor was right. In opening what turned out tc be one of the brightest debate.' heard in the Council Chambers foi some time, His Worship the Mayoi referred to the minutes of the Works Committee. The committee advised the Council that the estimate of the cost of connecting tlu Waiewe and Wairere Streams, tc provide water for the street channels, was £68 ss. Further, the committee had not been prepared tc make any recommendation, feeling that the matter warranted discusdon by the Council as a whole. Councillor Prepared to Bet. "£lO of that estimate need not necessarily be spent immediately,' said His Worship. "It provides for i new dam, or tank, for the Waiewe supply. The question is: Does tinCouncil think the work is justiied?" Cr Armstrong immediately move-' :hat the work be put in hand am; H-r Caisley lost no time in secondng. "The benefits to be derived arc nore imaginary than real," Viid Ci >tley. "There is more importani vork to be done in the Borough ind I am not in favour of the mo ion." Cr Shapley was the next to rise, 'I am prepared to bet that yoi :ouldn't convince two men out ol en that the water would do am *ood," he said, and added his doubt; )f the Cpntroller of Material's con sent to piping tf «r the purpose The Councillor stated further tint guilders and farmers were short o his essential. The Council shonk lot waste £00 or £70 on runniiu vater. An Embryo Bathing Pool. Quite warmed up, Cr Shapley, jpined strongly that the water in he channels would not prove to be :he advantage for the town claimed )y the scheme's sponsors. "It might ,vash a bit of paper down now and :hen," he said, "and I have seen riddies splashing about in it . . "Thus saving baths," was an inerjection. Cr Shapley said he would like to nake it clear that he was anxious o help but he could not support :he motion to run water down guters. Cr Canning; Cr Shapley has le£ a lot of steam and hot air . . . "A lot of nonsense," supplement?d Cr Armstrong. Continuing, Cr Canning spoke of he rubbish blowing across the street. The state of things at times .vas disgraceful. The cost would imount to only £3 8s a year, which neant a little over a shilling; ■ a veek. The ratepayers in the Strand ,vere responsible for one third of he Borough's rates. " . . . And .vlien they ask for a little thing rou turn it down." The water Avas running free. The need was not .lrgent but would be next summer, vhen the dust nuisance recurred. Benefit Doubtful. "I suppose I suffer from the dust misance as much as everyone," said lis Worship. "Candidly, I don't iee that water in the channels doss my good at all. The dust comes 'rom the crown of the road. I can't ;ee the purpose of spending £68 .vhen there is other work to be lone. I cannot support the motion" "I think that the business men ire entijled to some consideration .vhen they pay the rates," said Cr Armstrong. "I am rather surprised Vt Councillor Otley speaking against it, because up till now he has supported it . . ." "Wove- " that," flashed Cr Otley. 'It * is not ion the Borough records." ... "1 liave my. memory to rely on," retorted Cr Armstrong.

Cr Ca is Icy said it meant a con sidcrable saving to the busines people to have some water runnins in the channels. As a rule, the dus was carried into the gutters ar:< washed away by the water. Wher the glitters were dry the dust \va? Jil'ted by the wind and stocks suf fered. Cr Good voiced his support for the motion. Opposition Voices. ''Most subjects we discuss round this table are pretty dry,'" said Cr Sullivan, Avith a laugh, "but this is fairly wet. There's a bit of heat in it, too. I have never felt completely satisfied that the measure Avas necessary and the dust nuisance exists only for three or four months. There arc scores of important works to be done all over the Borough, some of the tar-sealing being absolutely necessary." The speak er indicated that he Avould support the idea Avhen sufficient funds were aA*ailablc. In A'ieAV of the present circumstances the money should be retained for other purposes. Support for thesevvicA r s AA r as expressed by Cr Hall. Some of the ratepayers, he said, had been asking for streets for a long time and at the present they had slush to Avalk through instead. One or lavo Avere paying big rates and they had not eA T en a formed road to use. Cr Canning: May I speak . . .? His Worship: Yes, while I try to make up my mind Avhich Avay I'll A'otc. Cr Canning spent a fcAV minutes in criticising Cr Sullivan's attitude and then the Mayor put the motion. How the Voting We/ft. Crs Canning, Caisley, Mulholland, " Armstrong and Good Avere all for it; Crs Shaplcy, Hall, OUey, Sullivan and the Maj T or said No. The position necessitated the exercising of the Mayor's casting A'ote. There was a 'breathless hush' as His Worship rose. The at-< mosphere was tense. Was the - water to run? The happiness of paddling children was in the balance. The Mayor had said 1 previously that he Avas not in favour and the position looked black for the "Ayes."' "Personally," he said, "I am opposed to the idea but there is a lot to be said for those in the Strand. They pay a big proportion of the raU'S and apparently the dust is a detriment to stock in the shops.'" Triumphant smiles from the "Ayes" as the Mayor SAvung (the balance in their faA'our. And thus ended the battle of the gutters.