MACHINERY LOAN POLL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4649, 16 January 1924, Page 3

MACHINERY LOAN POLL.

EFFECT OF DEFEAT. ANOTHER POLL TO BE taken. Arising out of the first paragiapa of the report of the county engineei much discussion took place at the monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains Comity Council on the effect of the defeat of the loan on the loading programme. It was pointed out that it was useless thinking of commencing work in the Horahia i iding, as lhe cost of metal and transportation when obtained from private firms would bring the cost of the scheme much above the engineei s 1 estimate. The engineer was, therefore, instructed to prepare fresh e.-<,ti-

m:Vcs for the Horahia roads. Councillors expressed the opinion that the machinery loan should again be put to the ratepayer. If it was again turned down, said Cr Madgwick, the councillors should remgm as it would prove that the raiepayers had no faith m them McLoughlin opposed putting the loan over the whole county, and suggested that a smaller area, comprising the area fronting the Piako River only, should he made the ratio- area. Smaller loans for smaller works could be put at different times Th° Council could then prove that it could handle the small jobs, loan for the purchase and development of the Maukoro quarry shpu <

he put. , . r’r. Mayn supported, saying tha the loan would then be carried. Cr Havward pointed out that the cost'of plant for obtaining metal alone, as suggested by Crs. McLoughlin and Mayn, would be £12,500. Then-, would be only a couple of thousand pounds worth of machinery to cut out to do as suggested. ' Cr. Hare said that the Netherton riding would have supported the pol hal the proposal been put over the whole of the county. Cr. Madgwick said that most of n ratepayers were favourable to the proposal, but apathy was the reason for its defeat. Cr Parfitt moved that the loan again put to the ratepayers in the same form and over the same area. Cr. Hayward thought that this would de no good. • The chairman said that the Coun was riot putting the loan tor any other reason than that it wa,s absolutely necessary. Nothing could be do-e unless the machinery, was ob-

tained. ' . . .. Cr Hare was of the opinion that a loan for quarry plant and punts onlv would be carried. There «e--reasonable men in Netherton win vot»d against the loan because >t was not put over the whole conn y. Vach had been made out of tne statement that the settlers of a certain area were too poor to ♦Jnt rates. They overlooked the fact tha this area had metal deposits and Avoid not require the proposed math.'Jre Hayward advocated including „..lv’the quarry and punts. It might -.,/t more to get the metal on to the road, but this would be better than none at all. Cr Harris said that a large part oi tho county could, be supplied at a cheap rate by putting a tram into the Waitakaruru quarry and installing a hopped. He was sure that there would not be a vote recorded in Waitakaruru for the proposed machinery loan if that riding was included in tlie area. Cr. McLoughlin said that the people of Patetonga and Kaihere would cast a block vote against the loan if they were included in the area. They liad" supported the first loan but had received no benefit. It was, therefore, up to the rest of the county to agree to a loan over an area that would receive the benefit, and not include the area that would not benefit. Cr. Mayn said that owing to the nature of the country it would be very many years before the roads of Pitetonga would be fit to receive nmtal. Patetonga settlers, knowing that they would not require the quarry, would not support the loan. ‘ Cr. Parfitt's motion was seconded by the chairman and carried, Crs. M.ayn and McLoughlin declining to vote, and Cr. Hare voting against and desiring to have his protest recorded.