BOROUGH STABLES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4752, 17 September 1924, Page 2

BOROUGH STABLES.

RATEPAYERS OBJECT TO SITE. COUNCIL’S DECISION TO .STAND. ■ At last Thursday’s meeting of the Borough Council a petition bearing sixty-one signatures of residents protesting against the erection of borough stables and the closing of the track on the western side of the fire station leading from Hall Street to King Street was received. Cr. Brenan moved that the council, after due consideration, saw no reason to depart from its previous decision, but agreed to erect a fence in a legal manner round the building. Cr. Flatt objected to the erection of the stables on the proposed site, and moved as an amendment that the Matter be deferred for one month, the committee authorised to inquire into the lease of the reserve off Thames Road to be asked to report on the of the rseerve as a site whereon to erect stables.

Cr. Silcock seconded the amendment and said that the Thames Road reserve should prove an ideal site for municipal stables. He then proceeded to explain the steps taken to procure the Domain area for the purpose of building a fire station and municipal yards, and contended that if stables were built on the site the council would be abusing its powers. The Mayor objected to the latter portion of Cr. Silcock’s remarks, which were withdrawn. Cr. Edwards said that the Inspector of Health had approved of the site so long as the stables were built according to by-laws, and he agreed that the council should stand by its previous decision. Cr. Vuglar supported the resolution. Speaking to the motion, Cr. Brenan maid tnat one of the ratepayers whose name appeared on the petition, had erected stables within eighteen feet of his (the speaker) residence, but no objection had ever been raised, and yet when the council proposed to erect a stable live times the distance from any dwelling that particular ratepayer had objected. Cr. Brenan said he could not understand such inconsistency. The amendment was then put and declared lost. Cr. Flatt then moved a further amendment to the effect that the council erect an iron fence along a portion of the boundary sufficient to shield the conveniences, yard, and proposed stables, that the existing drain be filled in, and the floor of the stables to be of concrete and properly drained. This was seconded by Cr. Silcock and also lost. The< resolution was then put and carried, Crs. Flatt and Silcock dissenting. Cr. Edwards objected on the grounds that in his opinion the ratepayers should not be called on to contribute half the cost of the fence along the boundary.