PUBLIC READING-ROOM, LIBRARY, ETC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2670, 11 December 1923, Page 2

PUBLIC READING-ROOM, LIBRARY, ETC.

COUNCIL OPPOSES SUBMITTIN(i LOAN TO RATEPAYERS. A COMIC OPERA WBCUSBION. Af las I ;iiffli)Council rrifiMing Ihe Mayor reported on Ihe rcAvli of I lie publie. meeting held last, week to discuss the matter of exertion of a Ihi l>l if* reading room, library, resf room, baths, rtf., on Easton f'ark. Ilf said lll,'it ilii’ rimeting bad derid i d llmf ;i luji/i proposal to ereef the buildings on Easton Park hr [ tin ml before lln* ratepayers. Tim ratapn.vrrs lie in" in favour of Ihf inn lion. Tin* niff I in" tea n very poor r-iif, only about All rafepayrrs being present. After some discussion it was decided to Tff'cr Ilif miiftfr of' locafion of spell building on Easton Park to flif Reserves Committee. A motion by Cr. Smith, seconded by fho A ray op pro forma, flint Afr Erl wards hr* asked lo prepare plans and specifications for baths to bo prop tod in tho south-west earner of Easton Park, being' withdrawn.

A motion was then moved by Cr. Smith, seconded by Cr. Ross, that the Couneil request Air Vnmhom to draw up plans and speeificatons for publie library, reading-room, rest room, and conveniences, in aeeordanee with his previous offer; that the Couneil agree to put a loan proposal before the ratepayers in connection with the above matter; that tbp site of library be at the entrance of Eason Park; that the Council appoint Crs. Ross and Smith and the Mayor to eonfer with Mr Varnham in the matter, estimated cost of building to lie £1,500, to inelude furnishings. Cr. Smith said that there was £IOO or so on the estimates for furnishings. By adopting the above-mentioned eourse this sum cmild he wiped oft’.

Cr. Bryant said that it would -fill be necessary fo erect public conveniences elsewhere. The Mayor said fhaf he was absolutely opposed to a loan proposal being put before the ratepayers. He had been in conversation with Mr Styles, an ex-Mayor of Fnxton, and he had fold him that they would simply ruin Foxfon with loans if they went on the way they were going. However, he was democratic, and would give the ratepayers a chance to express their views on (he matter.

Cr. Coley said that for another £(>00 or £BOO the Council could have had a good library and readingroom attached to the Council chambers.

Cr. Walker said that he was opposed to the motion. He was opposed to holding a publie meeting lo discuss (his question, and had not attended either recent public meetings on that account. It was not right to ask a minority of ratepayers to tell the Council what it should do. The majority had put the Councillors in, and vet thev did

as the minority requested. It was simply ridiculous to put a library on Easton Park. In no other town in the Dominion would a public library ho found in a park. He was also opposed to anything being done until the drainage work had been completed. Or. Bryant said he quite agreed with Or. Walker. If ratepayers wanted a hand in the administration of borough affairs why didn’t they stand for the Council?

Or. Adams agreed with Or. Walter. IFe said the town was a disgrace as a borough and yet. public meetings were called to dictate to the Oonneil, and to tell them wlmt they should do. Personally, he would take no dictation from people outside the Council. lie would oppose loans until footpaths etc., were put in order. Or. Coley said that he had given his word to support the baths proposal. hut if it was being run in conjunction with a library, etc., he would oppose the whole lot. Tie said there was 282 chains of drainage yet. to he done within the borough, and £3.400 of work yet to do. ITis rates would rise from £9O to somewhere about £142 7s per annum if these new proposals were gone on with. The drainage work could not he completed for £3,400. Or. Smith: The engineers say it

can. Or. Coley: I sav it can’t, and my opinion is quite ns good as the engineers’. Or. Thorpe asked if the sire on Easton Park was suitable for the building. 'l'he Mayor: Certainly, no! Or. Smith: Mr Vnrnham says it is! Or. Coley: We aren’t going to he dictated to hv Mr Varnham! Or. Thorpe said he would not support the motion if il hound the -ilc i.r Easton Park. Or. Parkin said that the people ■dunud he left to decide the matter. IYr.-Minn.lly lie was not in favour of E.,stmi Park site. The Mayor said that tlie councillors had proved that they had backbone. They would not he led away by a few who wanted to extravagantly run away wth the public resources of the people. It, would be wrong to go on with the Easton Park site until the Council got an expression from the Beautifying Society as to the suitability of such site. A lot of work had been done on Easton Park by the Beautifying Society. How much of this work would remain after the building work had been done 1 ? There would he bricks and mortar all over the park! The park would look like a sliell-hole. He was democratic, however, and would let the matter go before the ratepayers and see that they were in possession of full facts before the poll was taken.

The moton was then put and lost. For: The Mayor and Crs. Smith, A. Ross and Parkin, against: Crs. G. Coley, Walker, Thorpe, Adams and Bryant. The Mayor: Well I believe yon haw done (he right thing. Cr. Walker: We have been the__ laughing stock of the Dominion: (Jr, Hmth then moved a notice of motion, aet'-ontM by Cr. Boss: That tho CottwU noftmt Mr Varnhom to draw riff f/ads and specifications tor priWic library, moling room, rest room, convenience-’, etc., in accordance //if h hi- previous offer. That the ( ooneil agrees to put before the, ratepayers a loan proposal in connection with the above matter. That the Mayor and Cr-. Ross md Smith be appointed to meet Mr Vamb am and confer with Mm before drawing up the plans. That the site f,.r library etc., be on the Council property adjoining Council Chambers. That, plans be drawn up on an estimated cost of £1,500, including furnishings.