The Loan Meeting.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 104, 15 May 1883, Page 2

The Loan Meeting.

In spite of the inclemency of the weather there was a good attendance of burgesses at meeting held at the Town Hall on Saturday night, for the purpose of discussing the proposal of the Borough i ouncil to borrow £6,000, to be spent in forming and metalling the roads of the Borough, in accordance with the already published schedule of works. Most of our leading citizens were among the 50 or 60 persons present, and con* trary to the doubts entertained by many previously to the meeting a warm and somewhat animated interest was taken in the proceedings. As is quite proper on such an occasion, no one seemed afraid to speak, and opinions were freely and fearlessly expressed, not only by those in favor of the loan, but also by the two or three well-known devoted oppositionists. In accordance with the law in the matter, his Worship the M ayor presided, and read from the Stab the advertisement calling the meeting, also the advertised proposal of the Council re the raising of the loan. He said some persons seemed to have an objection to the loan on the ground of the increase of rates that would thereby be incurred, and pointed out that the interest and sinking fund could easily be paid off, simply by an additional rate of Is in the £ on the rateable value of the property of the Borough, and he thought no one could reasonably object to that who wanted to see the improvements made, which were so desirable and necessary. Personally he was strongly in favor of the loan, but he would ask the burgesses present to state their views on the subject, and to ask any questions they thought proper. Mr Black more quoted certain figure* relative to the liabilities that would be incurred under the loan, and the proposed provision for meeting them, and asked how the interest and sinking fund was to be paid. He had an objection to putting his hand into his pocket simply to improve other people's properly. He would do his share in improving that part of the Borough where it was necessary, but not round the Square and other central parts of the town. He would advise every burgess to vote tooth and nail against the loan. Dr Johnston requested that the speaker be called to order, as they were not met to dictate to each other what to do. Mr Blackmore then resumed his seat. Mr P. Thomson asked if the loan would enhance the rateable value of all the property in the centre of the town. In other words he wanted to, know if the unoccupied land in the centre would be rated any higher. The. Chairman replied that the spending of the money would necessarily raise proportionately the rateable value of all property within the Borough. Mr P. Bartholomew said he wished to speak in favor of the loan, as it was to the interest of every one to vote for it. He corroborated the chairman's remarks relative to the whole of the property being raised in value by the money being spent. Mr Blackmore again spoke, and referring to the schedule of works, said it was, in his opinion, of very little use, and the works hitherto done were anything but. satisfactory, the engineering and workmanship being both very indifferent. He had no confidence whatever in the present Council, and he would not trust them with the spending of a single halfpenny of public money. Mr Lewers said it was neither. the time nor place to cast reflections upon the Councillors. If they did not do their duty the burgesses had a remedy in their hands, and as at the endof the municipal ye&r several members of the Council would have to retire, then was the time to deal with that matter. Unfortunately they had a very extensive Borough to maintain, and they were bound to keep pace with the progress made in other townships, which it was impossible to do unless means were provided for it. He thought it was the duty of those who were not in favor of the Council's proposals to suggest some way of getting out of the present difficulties. In his opinion the schedule of works was the best that could be brought forward, and let those who thought differently suggest something better. The whole of the Borough property could not but be enhanced in value by the money being spent. He knew of several cases of property holders having left the place in consequence of the lack of improvements now proposed to be made. Mr Arnott asked the Mayor to give the meeting a guarantee that the schedule of works would be carried out faithfully to the letter, and without any additional rates than those already proposed. His Worship said he could answer for the money being spent in accordance with the schedule, and there would be no necessity for increasing the rates beyond what was at present proposed. Mr J. W. Eade asked how it was that some streets were included in the schedule of works in which there were no residences, some of which streets were mentioned by the speaker. The Chairman said that the streets alluded to by Mr Eade, while it was true they had at present no houses, probably in conaequence of the roads not being made, yet they led to certain centres of business, the Sale Yards, for instance, to which it was very desirable that good roads should be made. Mr P. Thompson asked if it was the intention to pay the first year's interest out of the loan. The Chairman said he was not prepared to answer that question. He thought, however, that the matter had now been sufficiently discussed, and that it was time for someone to move a resolution on the subject. . : Mr Blackmore then proposed, and Mr E. Worsfold seconded tne following resolution : — "That the present schedule of works be not supported." Dr Johnston at once proposed, and Mr P. Bartholomew seconded, the following amendment : — " That this .meeting pledges itself to support the Council in their proposal to raise a loan of £6,000 for the forming and metalling of the various streets specified in their schedule of works." The amendment was put lo the meeting, and 25 hands were held up in its favor. The amendment was then put, but only five persons voted for it. The declaration that the amendment was carried was followed by applause. The meeting then dispersed.