MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 817, 26 February 1910, Page 3

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

The meeting of ratepayers convened by the Mayor to discuss the proposal to borrow .£20,000 for a combined water supply and drainage system was held in the Masonic Hall last night. There were about 50 ratepayers present. The Mayor was in the chair and Crs Adams, Rimmer, Speirs, Robinson and Gibbs occupied seats on the stage. Mr H. W. Climie, the engineer who submitted the reports, was also in attendance. After the Town Clerk had read the advertisement convening the meeting the Mayor outlined the steps that had been taken to bring the matter to the present stage. He said that the reports on a water and drainage scheme were the outcome of pledges by the majority of the Councillors previous to the last election that they would support a water and drainage scheme for the Borough. The councillors and himself had gone as far as they could in the matter by having the reports prepared. It now rested with the ratepayers to say whether they would have the scheme or not. No one would not deny that water and drainage was a great advantage and there was no doubt that sooner or later a scheme will be installed in Foxton. Foxton had been called unprogressive but ratepayers must consider ways and means before plunging into rating that will drive population out of the borough instead of attracting it. He referred to the purity of the artesian water submitted to the Government analyst, and also briefly touched on the benefits that ratepayers would derive from a water and drainage system. In reference to the cost of house connections, he said the Council would assist the ratepayers in this matter as had been done by the Eltham Borough, viz., carry out the work for them and spread the repayment of the money over a number of years. He said that the reason why only one issue was to be placed before the ratepayers was that the Council, after considering the matter, had found that the combined scheme would, in proportion to the benefits to be derived, be far and away cheaper than a water supply only. He touched on the unsatisfactory manner in which the Borough had been valued, and stated that if the loan were carried the Council would have the Borough revalued. He concluded by giving some instances of the differences in the rates that would be made if the. scheme were carried. CR. ADAMS’ VIEWS.

Cr Adams was the next speaker. He expressed disappointment that there was only such a meagre attendance of ratepayers at the meeting, when such a big scheme was to be discussed. The cost of the scheme, he considered, was not excessive when it was taken into consideration the benefits ratepayers would derive from such a system. He dealt at considerable length on the advantages of water and drainage from a health viewpoint, and urged the ratepayers to earnestly consider the proposal before casting their votes. He was sure that if they gave it careful consideration it would meet with their unanimous approval. To the majority of ratepayers it would not materially increase their rates, and, in many cases, would reduce them. CR. SFEIRS FAVOURS SCHEME.

Cr Speirs said that he had assisted at the Council table to bring the matter to its present stage, and after going fully into the question, was satisfied it was a good scheme and suitable to the Borough in every way. Personally, he had every confidence in it. In reference to a statement that if a water supply were installed the insurance rates would be reduced, he said he did not think there would be any reduction unless a fire brigade were formed, and perhaps not even then.

The Mayor invited those present to ask any questions on any matter on which they desired information.

Several questions were asked by one ratepayer, who wanted to know what provision had been made in case of the pump going wrong. The Mayor explained that provision had been made lor a duplicate plant. The questioner also expressed the opinion that the population of the sanitary area, 1500, had been over-estimated, and that the present was a bad time to go into the open market for money. In reply to another questioner, Mr Climie said that the cost of laying a main from the hills behind Shannon would be about ,£IOOO per mile. Alter a number of other unimportant questions had been answered, the meeting terminated after passing a vote of thanks to the chair, and to the Council for having the report on the scheme prepared.