PUBLIC READING ROOM LIBRARY, ETC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2683, 15 January 1924, Page 2

PUBLIC READING ROOM LIBRARY, ETC.

CR. SMITH’S NOTICE OF AIOTION DEFEATED.

COUNCIL REFUSES TO SUBMIT LOAN PROPOSAL TO RATEPAYERS.

At last night’s Council meeting Cr. Smith’s notice of motion was read as follows :

“That the Council request Mr M. Varnham to draw up plans and specifications for public library, reading-room, rest room, and conveniences, in accordance with his previous offer; that the Council agree to put a loan proposal before the ratepayers in connection with (he above matter; that the site of library be next to the Council chambers; that the Council appoint Crs. Ross and Smith and the Mayor lo confer with Mr Varnham in the matter, estimated cost of building to lie £1,500, lo include furnishings.” Cr. Smith said that he did not wish to say anything further in connection with tin* matter. They were all conversant with the mailer and Ik was prepared to lei it rest on a vote of the Councillors, Cr. Ross, who seconded the inolion, said Hint they should let the ratepayers decide the matter. They had to pay the rates and should he given the right to say whether they wanted a library, reading-room, and rest room. He could not understand why some of the Councillors were frightened to let the matter go before the ratepayers. The Mayor said that he was quite prepared to let the matter go before the ratepayers. It would not he democratic, however, to support a motion setting down a site in opposition to the ratepayers. The ratepayers had selected Easton Park as the site.

Cr. Smith: Will you support the motion it 1 rill the site out ?

The Mayor: -No. Cr. Thompson said he quite agrecd with Cr. Smith. The Mayor: The .borough can’t stand it.

Cr. Thompson said he considered the water and drainage work should he finished first. However, lie considered that the library matter was “not an urgent matter for a few minutes or a few days.”

Cr. Coley said he had promised to support the baths proposal, but. it the two questions were combined he would cut them both out. Cr. Walker said he would not support a proposal for the erection of a rest-room. They already had one at the Town Hall. No extra work should he started until the work in hand was completed. Cr. Adams opposed the motion. He said the sewerage work should he completed first and then I lie streets and footpaths attended to. They should “make the place look like a borough and not a backblock settlement or a Maori village.” Cr. Thorpe considered the matter should go before the ratepayers. It was a very necessary work and undoubtedly wanted in the town.

Cr. Bryant said they already had pientv of accommodation in the Town Hall. The Council should spend a little money on the room in that building and make it up-to-date.

Cr. Smith said that a library upstairs as in the Town Hall was not suitable, also the Hall may be let at some future occasion. All he was asking was to 'let the ratepayers settle the question once and for all. There was a feeling among ratepayers that these buildings were necessary. Councillors could surelv let the matter go before the people, and then, if so inclined, could themselves vote against the proposal. The Council was only a section of the people. There would he little extra cost to take the two polls together. He considered (hat the site chosen by the people at the public meeting was only a secondary consideration. It had not been given much attention. Cr. Adams had spoken in opposition to the motion, as he considered no new works should be proceeded with at present, yet he forgot I hat he supported a motion to take ii poll lor the erection of swimming baths.

The motion was then put and lost. For: Crs. Smith, Ross, Thorpe iiml Parkin; against: the Mayor and Crs. Coley, Bryant, Thompson, Walker, Adams.