"I WILL STAND NO BLUFF."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 10

"I WILL STAND NO BLUFF."

ONEHUNGA'S NEW LIBRARY/

For some time past the question of a, new library has been before the Oneliunga Borough Council. On ono occasion the council was enthusiastically in favour of securing a grant for the purpose from Mr. Andrew Carnegie, and then it decided to have nothing to do with it. Later it agreed to accept Mr. Carnegie's conditions, and to call for tenders. Mr. Carnegie offered to donate ,£2OOO if Onehunga provided the site, paid tho. architect's fees, and provided a rate for the maintenance of the institution, while books had to.bo .supplied .free of fees to readers. Petitions for and against certain sites were received, but finally the council decided in favour of the Military Parade Heserve.

On Monday tenders were received, tho lowest being £21U. Only six out of the ten councillors were present, and in tho absence' of the Mayor (Mr. John Eowe) the chair was occupied by Mr. John Stoupe, who moved that the tender of Mr. Maud be accepted, and that of Mr. Farrow retained.

-Mr.'Holmes expressed the opinion that it would not be advisable to accept any tender for the 'library, as tho council would be committing the town to nearly c£looo more than the money offered.

Mr! H. •M. Johnson did not believe in accepting assistance from Mr. Carnegie in any ; shape or form. Close upon .£IOOO more than the grant would have to be found. Where was this latter to como from?

Mr. Sloupe: I'll lend it to you. Mr. Johnson: Better let the matter go to the ratepayers on election day.

Mr. Stoupe: I am sorry the wet weather has come on, for it has evidently damped your ardour. Onehunga must be at a low ebb when it can get a house worth ,£2OOO free and objects to pay the money for furnishing it.. The outgoing councillors should be men enough to fight this matter out. There should be no more of this fooling, for Onehunga could well pay the extra money required.

Mr. Johnson: Yes, we will pay for it many times over. Why not raise the money by loan and have the building paid for, interest and principal, in 41 years?

A warm passage nt arms' now" ensiled, ending with Mr. C; C. Davis moving that the motion bo put. This Was"done, when Messrs. Stoupe, Colledge, and Davis voted that the tender bo accepted, while Messrs. Holmes, Johnson, and Horn voted against.

Mr. Johnson: There are only six of us here. Surely you will not hurriedly give your casting vote, especially with the Mayor away.

Mr. Stoupo: I will stand no bluff from anyone. I am hero in the chair, and will carry out my duty while in it. I give my casting vote with the ayes, and the lowest tender is accepted.