Levin's Lake

Levin Daily Chronicle, 21 June 1917, Page 2

Levin's Lake

THE APPLICATION FOR. A SUBSUBSIDY. DISCUSSED BY LEVIiN BOROUGH COUNCIL. Three members of Levin Lake Domain Board forwarded tJlieir resignations from membership of the board, and the matter was brought up at the meeting of Levin Borough Council on Monday night last. In referring to the matter, the mayor of Levin told the council that the Domain Board had asked the council for a subsidy of £150 towards cost of carrying out improvement work at the lake. Tho mayor remarked' that while he favored the scheme as a scheme, he considered the present time was not an opportune one for the council to spend the money. He believed that if the work were carried out now there would be no enduring interest taken in the work whjn it was carried out. with the result that the council would derive no benefit from its expenditure; and, besides, the current estimates of the borough foreshadowed a debit of some £300. Further, these estimates provided for no expenditure for patriotic purposes; and he thought the council would desire to give something on that head. In that event the excess expenditure might reach £400; so he took it that the present time was an inopportune one at which to incur the expense of £150 for improving the lake and its surroundings. :He moved "That this council cannot in this financial year see its way to grant ithe sum of £1-50 to the Lake Domain Board."

Councillor Ryder seconded the motin. Councillor Bryson remarked that ho was down at the boatshed yesterday, and found everything going to decay. A boat was lying there with its hack broken. If the youth of the town could act in this way they probably would do likewise to an improved resort, if the council spent the money as asked for. Councilor Mackenzie said he would like to see something done to : prevent j the shed tand other material from getting in a worse state. Unless this wore done the council would have to (spend more than £150 when it did move. Ho remarked that lately there had boon ail influx of young men to the distract (as students at the Experimental 'Farm), and he believed that they would patronise the lake. He would not like to see the. proposition quite shelved. Dr Bryson suggested that the board be offered a subsidy oil money they raised to carry 011 tho scheme. The mayor said that the new board cculd come to the council with a proposition 011 amended lines, and 110 doubt tho council would l give it consideration. Councillor Lancaster asked what was the tenure under which the lakeslide laiiitf was held <ait £1 per acre per a'nnum for tlhe ten acres round the lake. To 'him the amount paid seemed too small for such land. Councillor ORiyder: It's open to the I'a-kc, Councillor Lancaster. The Town Clerk: Not now; we've had it fenced 1 . Councillor Lancaster: It's worth a iot more than £10 a year; it's good grazing) land. Councillor Matheson: There's good feed on it now.The mayor remarked that the way to deal with the scheme for the present was to defer decision. If tihe public felt dissatisfied with what the council was doing "let them roar," as they had done over the lamps. (Laughter.) Then the council could say "Show us your bona fides ,'by subscribing some public money towards the cost of the scheme. Councillor Aitken remarked that he was sure there was a number of citizens who took an interest in the lake and aquatic sport and he believed they would hack the scheme of asked to do so. He would not like to see a damper put on the movement, and lie suggested tlia.t tho council resolve that although it ould not grant £150 it would grant some stated sum.

a>r Bryson suggested that .1 public meeting ; bc called; the extent to which the public rolled up would give the council an idea, of how nmcli publio interest there really was. Councillor Matheson: Would you, Mr. Mayor, support a proposal to give £75 if the board and the public raised £75? The Mayor: I believo I would. Cr Mathoson said that when the lake and boateheds were properly run

and looked after lie !had seen hundreds at the lake on week-ends. There was no question tliat tho lake could be made one of the town's 'best assets; but in its present state it was far from being that. iHe suggested that the council state exactly what amount dt would give: £1 for £1 ; or some definite sum. . Councillor Mackenzie agreed with Councillor Mathcson, and moved that tlnat the council make a. grant of £75 provided that a liko sum was raised by tlio board or from tho public. Tho mayor said that if Obey could raise £75 from the public he. woiuld sooner fee it go to the patriotic funds. Councilor Mackenzie: But the revenues of the beard come from its own reserves and murt be spoilt on them. The Mayor explained that the £150 asked for was additional to the money/ the board possessed (some £60). And the proposed grant of £75 would have to come out of the borough funds. "Was Councillor Mackenzie aware that was the true positionP Cr .Mackenzie said he was not; the matter had not been cloarly put. The Town Clerk remarked that the scheme involved the expenditure ' of £187 Councillor Parker thought Councillor Mackenzie was on right lines. All lie needed l to do was to modify the amount he had named. The Mayor differed: to make anything like ia job the money must be spent in one lump sum. Councillor Mackenzie withdrew his amendment. Councillor Lancaster recalled that in the pa.st excellent sport had been enjoyed on the lake, but the public interest was' intermittent, and consoqnently the sport fluouated. That experience, lie! foared, would ; be repeated in the future. Councillor Bull asked who would see to the hiring of the boats, etc., if tlitf council hacked 1 the scheme. And who would supply the boats. The mayor presumed that might be left to the boating club. In order to bring tlie public earlier to the paint of test Councillor (Parker moved that the council give a maximum su'lxsidy of £50; that would niean that the public would need to find £100 against the council's £50. Councillor Ai'tken -seconded Councillor Parker's amendment. Ae a further amendment, Councillor Matheson moved that the council give a subsidy'' of £50 for this financial year, and 1 a further subsidy of £60 at £1 per £1 in the succeeding financial year." Councillor Matheson's amendment was lost, and on a vote being taken o'n Councillor Parker's amendment it was carried. Councillors Ryder and Lancaster dissenting. The resignations of Messrs J. 'Robertson, H, B. France, M. Fosella and A. Dempsey were then put before tilie meeting. The mayor remarked that Mr Herrick and himself completed the European membership of the board. Dviutless Mr Ilerriok had through inadvertence neglected to do so as the tho other ex-councillors had done. There was a tacit agreement when the councillors were appointed that they would resign membership of the board if they ceased to be councillors. (His worship doubted if this was a good method, for many reasons; one was that if the councillors who were members of the board resolved on a sclieme they could carry it on a rote in the council. Ho suggested that Messrs Robertson, France and Dempsey be asked to reconsider their determination to resign. If they did so the council could appoint three councillors to complete the board.

Councillors Broome and Aitken supported tin's suggestion, and Councillor Parker suggested that something should be done to interest the county council in the matter. ,He would like to see someone representing them in some way placed on the board. Councillor Miatlieeon moved that the council representatives be the mayor, Councillors Aitken and Parker. Councillors Aitken and Parker. asked that more experienced l councillors be appointed l . Councillor Parker suggested that Councillor I/an caster be a/p----pointed, l>ut Councillor Lancaster asked to be excused; lie had too many other calls on his time. Councillor Parker: "We're all loaded, Councillor Lancaster! Councilor Mackenzie did not see that three outside European members need be appointed; he thought that two from outside the council would be enough, with four councillors; it was not right to thrust such important matters as his bdard was charged with upon outsiders. Eventually Councillor iMathcßon moved : "That Messrs Robertson, 'France and IDempsey With Councillors Parker and Aitken be appointed to the board. Councillor Macken»ie moved 1 as an amendment that the council a;>r>ni»i, Messrs H. B. Fiance, W. B. Macintosh, Councillors Aitken, Parker and Mathescm. Councillor Ryder seconded the amendment which was lost by six votes to three, the minority being Councillors Mackenzie, Ryder and 'Bull. Councillor Matlioson motion was then put and carried. r '