Council Might Withdraw Offer To Residents

Chronicle (Levin), 30 June 1949, Page 4

Council Might Withdraw Offer To Residents

W In view of the amount of more urgent work requiring to be done in the bdrOugh, Cr. R. A. Frederikson said at this week's meeting of the Levin Borough Council that he intended to' move a notice of motion for the next meeting that the council withdraw its offer to residents t'o employ council staff and equipment in levelling and' cleaning up the grass frontages of residents desiring such work to be done, for which £330 was the suggested allowance in the new estimates. It was time that the people helped themselves a little and ceased relying on the council to do this work, said - Cr. Frederikson. Footpaths should come first. Cr. Frederikson later stated that he t'hought the council should riot insist on its policy of concrete footpaths at the moment, as-it would be a long time before cement would be available for this purpose... He said that the council would be* better advised to go ahead with the formation of asphalt paths. They could possibiy be formed just below the kerbing and could be completed in cement when it became available. The maintenance of a temporary chip footpath was, he considered, too costly in time and labour.The Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, said he fully agreed. He did .not think the Government . would import cement in quantities large enough for other than urgent works. The borough overseer, Mr. E. Lycette, said that the cost of asphalt and cement was the same. He considered that asphalt footpaths would last from 20 to 30 years. ' Cr, Frederikson: Isn't it time we went to the people for a footpath construction loan? Mr. Burdekin: The labour situation does not warrant it. It is hard enough to get the other work done. Cr. R. s. Antcliff: This is going to be an unpopular suggestion,' but I would say let the rates go up a little. I feel that if some of the work is falling behirid we should give serious consideration to contracting some 'of it out. Mr. Burdekin: I* believe in a stabilised rate' for the borough. The theatre and hall. will cost us over £2000 and this will not allow a very ambitious programme. I don't think- the people are in the mood to pass a loan proposal until they see what the sewerage scheme is going to cost them. I feel reasonably certain that a loan proposal will meet the same fate as it did three years ago. I also think that the payment for footpaths should be spread over the years. Then it is not felt heavily by anyone.