Public Meeting.

Manawatu Herald, 23 February 1905, Page 3

Public Meeting.

SOME PLAIN SPEAKING BY THE M A if OR. ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY.” A COMMITTEE, APPOINTED. flic mo ( .{J;i,y .if r~ ■'.payers convened by the Mayor (Mr ' . V. Simprou) Inst n’t'ut at the Public j. T, v. .-:■ aueu l.'d oy between 70 and f > : wop! A little after eight o’clock dm M ; ;or took the ciiair .'uf .i-rpiuii: ■ ; (ho |v pose for which the meeting had la,: called —That of seeing what c u!d bc done to provide .milabk- a*;.! : ,a ;. -•{ water and light service.; !■- '--n. Before ho had h.-.m -de. 1 M•• fo Foxfon ho ex [.I deed !•> (e m Id.-, pm. gressive idea : . To- ..<• i d cm.inothing became, ho bad m- 1 ■■(::> Support whatever from Ihe Council. He did not entirely blame the (Mu.icil. but the ratepayers who (•.h-oled them.

(Applause.) ID*, went fully into the matter of the Council’s dealing with the water service and Kit von Lighfo as suggested by him ■-•elf. The Mayor said it 'VaS not sad -faction to waste timQ and energy without results. 'That Was how he felt with the present body of Councillors. Regarding his connection with Kitsonligkt burners, at one meeting, the Council empowered him to purchase four Kitson Lamps to illumiate the town, whilst at the very next meeting the privilege was withdrawn mainly because his (the Mayor’s) statement that the Kitson lights were in use in the Electric Power House at Wellington was said to Ire incorrect. The Mayor assured the meeting that he had made themost definite inquiries, and found out that {he Kitson lights were at prcsctrl used in the Power House in preference to their own electricity, Foxton was probably the oldest town in New Zealand, and ha was sorry to say the least progressive. It had been said to him that day that Were he to seek office again ns Mayor he would be rejected. Mainly on this I account he intended .to offer himself, j and decide for himself whether the Foxton ratepayers were in favour of progress or not. (Applause.) But, said Mr Simpson, “ don't send me back without a progressive Council to help me,” He explained that by the introduction of a water-scheme, capitalists would be influenced to pay Foxton some attention. If the rates did go up, could not ratepayers understand they would receive the benefit. Their property would increase in value, more inducement would be offered outsiders to settle, and insurance rales would considerable decrease. For the sake of cleanliness, he strongly advocated a wa.ter-scheme, which would be the means of carrying our retuse away. Why, if Dr Mason came here and inspected our Awahou drain, ho, would compel the Council to put in a, sewage system. That drain was nothing but a nest for filth and dirt. The Mayor concluded a vigorous speech by referring to the different schemes ventilated in the columns of the Herald. It was for the meeting to decide whether any of those schemes I were desirable, and also to consider ! any other scheme which may he I brought forward. He hoped somo I good would result from such a ropre- | sentative gathering. (Loud Applause.) j The Mayor Hum called upon Mr De i Kidder to address the gathering. j Mr De Kidder, in alighting on the i platform, moved a resolution to the 1 effect “That this meeting thinks it de- ! sirable that Foxton should have a ] ! water supply, a fire engine, and a I better light than at present.” Before this resolution was put, Mr Hennessy (a previous Mayor of Foxton 1 wished previous correspondence on 1 the water-scheme road to the meeting. The Mayor consented, and called on Mr Fraser, Borough Clerk, to read same. This correspondent referred to a report from Captain Hugo (Wellington Fire Brigade) on the system now adopted in Blenheim, and which is working admirably. Mr Fraser explained that Captain Hugo had been waited on, and strongly advocated a scheme for dual purposes of water serviqe and electric lighting. The report stated that for fire purposes only the initial cost of service would be about £950, taking pipes into Main and Johnston streets, and be something similar to the Blenheim system. For £I2OO a much improved service could be laid. Captain Hugo had reported that the same system as he recommended had worked admirably in Blenheim. Mr Bradcock, ex-Councillor, explained that pumping water from the Manawatu would be entirely different from Blenheim where they had three rivers to draw trom. Mr De Kidder claimed the boards again and amused his hearers by giving an account of the many rebukes he had met with whilst interesting himself with the desire to stir the place up somewhat and induce people to interest themselves in their own progress. One person had said to him that “ a water-system would do him no good, as it would only benefit the front street.” Another, a bricklayer and contractor, had said “ It is no good agitating, you will never get it.” An ex-Councillor remarked : “ Look here De Kidder, you can do nothing if previous meetings could not.” And yet another passed him over by saying that sanguinary water could not be obtained. It reminded him of the parable of the invitation to the feast. However, he (De Kidder) preferred to interest himself in the matter and go forth into the highways and by-ways and compel people to sign. Ho bore out the Mayor’s statement that Foxton and its people were not progressive, ' and compared it with “ Sleepy Hollow,” which nameshould be designated to our town. It was near time we woke up. He had a scheme to put before them, but before doing so, he l would like his resolution carried, other- I wise it was useless explaining. | Mr Frankland seconded the resolu- [ tion, and it was carried unanimously | on a show of hands. j Mr De Kidder then started on a ! rambling speech, and it was not long ! .before His Worship had to call upon ■e speaker to stick to the point, and j the chairman had (0 rule Turn out of order for advocating those

to support the local mner more libo’.-fojy. Later on Mr De KEkler referred to Mr Nye’s letter on the waE-r scheme, and said if he preferred to spend n like amount, he also could provide the town with such a scheme. Then the speaker broke out i pne!ierd!y and exclaimed- ! "He wi r ,hed to try for a quick supply 1 Lor (he water war. very dry.” ; Tiii-. effusion was met with a rear of ■ lun'diicr. Cries of “ Co on, l)e Riclcl •>' • civ'- ns : sitione.” were met wi‘ r ! -Leinpl to show the audience that he • Led scheni" in •. iew to cost /Toon, •n f .r.y' v why spend ,£2OOO ■■ i-.nsM ■*•: .vuisflfd wif i a cost of my (’■ !( rmvmut. ft v/,’;:; an ah- ■;.. fiy. (!e ;e 'po s J piaeiny a huge 1 mcr-rte lank a! (ho ’.vinumill which ; v mid couhiin i.y.eee gallon;- of water. '1 fis weald le: i l'd'.: i-■ iii for fire and !joM i'.i!nvw'», T!ds scheme ly Jjno in all, and would

ipiir : .-aly Pi a week to snppoit it, 1 TIM Lini £6 to £S would lie reaped 1 !-o:n (ho service. If Ihe matter was I k ft in his hands, he would supply the i iowii in a fortnight’s time. Several I yuestions concerning the working of ; hischeme were put to the speaker. nut Mr Do Riddor was not to be caught ■ napping, In answer to Mr Frankland, Mr De I bidder explained that if the water could not he pumped to fill the tank, : In- would have, to get the river water, j Mr Do Bidder went on to say that if ; !T- Avenue scheme did not suit ho had I another scheme which would cost only i /MSO more, but the audience and 1 Mayor preferred to “ wink the other : eve.” The speaker would like a | thorough canvass to he made as to | who wanted water and who wanted , light, and who wanted both. He i lonchecl on the electric light business, i hut an answer from Mr Clemett as to approaching the Government for the I use of telephone posts fairly got Mr De i Kidder out of working order. Mr 1 Clemett explained that the induction I from the electricity would be too great to permit of the idea being carried out. The speaker’s electrical scheme and ideas were not considered very I seriously. Eventually Mr A. D. Clemett moved “ That the meeting has no confidence in Mr De Kidder’s scheme.” —Thisvva* seconded by Mr J. Frew, and carried, after which Mr De Kidder resumed his seat in the body of the Hall. Throughout Mr De Kidder’s speech, the Mayor had occasion to explain to unruly interrupters that every ratepayer had a right to speak. The Mayor then rose and ridiculed Mr De Kidder’s scheme, which he practically regarded as worthless, so far as he could gauge trom Mr De Kidder’s explanation. He then called upon Mr Nye to address the meeting. Mr Nye, who was greeted with prolonged applause, explained that his scheme appeared in Tuesday’s issue of the Maxawatu Herald. He asked the Mayor to read it to the meeting, which reading elicited the approval of the audience, judging by the way it was received. The letter explained that the beat possible scheme would be to bring water from Shannon orTokomaru, but Mr Nye was certain Foxton could not stand the expense entailed, some /'30.000. He proposed driving an artesian boro at the ridge on the outskirts of the racecourse. Mr Nye estimates the cost of such a work, also ' Use laying of water pipes sufficient to supply about 200 houses in the borough, would he about £SOOO. This snpplv would serve sufficiently the three-fold purpose—household, fire, avid general use. This loan should be raised at yi per cent, or £355 per annum. After hearing Mr Nye’s scheme, the Mayor was of opinion a committee should he formed to consider the whole, matter. Mr De Kidder then moved “ That a committee of five be elected to examine the different plans, obtain the necessary data, and report to the Council at a special meeting.” This found a seconder, and was carried. The following Committee was then appointed : —Messrs F. W. Frankland, Geo. Nye, R. Moore, P. Hennessy, and R. Noonan. The Mayor complimented the meeting for selecting such a valuable committee, and hoped that the new Council and new Mayor would view the matter of Borough improvements in a progressive spirit. (Applause.) After the usual vote of thanks to the chair was voiced in a marked manner, the meeting terminated.