SWIMMING BATHS AND LIBRARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2846, 14 February 1925, Page 3

SWIMMING BATHS AND LIBRARY.

LOAN PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED TO RATEPAYERS. TTNANTIMITY AS TO SITE. The question of submitting’ a loan proposal <o the ratepayers for the erection of public library and rest room in conjunction with a loan for the erection of public swimming baths, which has long been a contentious matter with the Borough Council, was the cause of a requisition to the Mayor, by Ors. Ross, Smith and Parkin, for a. speciatl meeting last night, to thresh these matters out. Finality appears to be on the horizon as a result

There were present His Worship the Mayor (John Ohrystall Esq.) and Crs. Smith, Ross, Parkin, Walker, Bryant, Thompson and Adams. For the first time in a number of years, an audience consisting of six ratepayers was present to hear (lie “city fathers” in debate. The Town Clerk read the requisition for the special meeting and said everything in connection with it had been complied with and the meeting was quite in order. CR. SMITH OPENS THE BALL. Cr. Smith said that at the last Council meeting the Mayor had carried a resolution to submit a loan proposal to the ratepayers for the erection of- public swimming baths. He considered that the time was also opportune to submit a loan proposal for the erection of a public library and rest room. The additinal cost of doing so would on'ly be the cost of advertising the poll. The ratepayers, Mayor said, fit, last Council meeting, have, after all? to decide these questions. The Mayor: Read your motion Cr. Smith. A STRAJGT OUT PROPOSAL. Cr. Smith : Under the circumstances, we considered it advisable to hold a special meeting. He then read the following motion, seconded by Cr. Ross: — “That Mr Varnham be requested to proceed with the drawing up of plans and specifications for a library, reading room etc., in accordance with his previous offer. That a loan roposal to borrow the sum of £1,500 be placed before the ratepayers simultaneously with the swimming baths proposal, but as a separate issue. That the site for the library etc. be on Council property adjoining the Council Chambers'.” Cr. Smith, in speaking to the motion, said that if the proposal was not carried, no charge would be made by Mr Varnham, but in the event of it being carried he would receive the usual architect’s commission. MAYOR’S DOUBLE-EDGED AMENDMENT. The Mayor said ’he would give notice to move an amendment as follows: —

“That, a loan proposal he submitted to llie ratepayers to borrow the sum of £1,500 for the erection of a public library, with furnishings, adjacent to Council Chambers, to contain reading room, book-'lending department and three living rooms, with eonvenienees for use of librarian. That Mr Varnham be authorised to prepare plans and estimates in terms of his free offer, the estimated cost of building not to exceed the sum of £l,lOO and in the c-vent of said plans being approved and the loan authorised, the archK teet be requested to prepare specifications for building in brick or concrete on the same remuneration as previiusly paid. It is further resolved that in view of the Borough’s heavy financial liabilities, present and prospective, with the consequent high rating, and also owing to the fact that much more important work necessary to safeguard the pubic health is not completed owing to lack of funds, Councillors regret that they cannot recommend the above loan proposal at the present time.” This was seconded by Cr. Adams. The Mayor said 1 he would either move the above as an amendment to Cr. Smith’s motion, or move it as a notice of motion. Cr. Smith: Move it as an amendment. Continuing Cr. Smith said that they should go on with the two proposals as the ratepayers had asked for a vote on the questions. The Council should give way to the requests of the ratepayers. On the 10th December, 1923, he had submitted a similar proposal to his present one. Just previous to that the Mayor, in compliance with a resolution carried at a public meting voted for the erection of swimming baths, public library and rest room on the Easton Park site. That motion was LOST BY ONE VOTE. (Cr. Thorpe’s). On the same evening a similar, motion was put forward, the site being altered to the Council section. The Mayor at that time said the ratepayers had requested that the buildings he erected on Easton Park and voted against — The Mayor: We are discussing the library question now. Cr. Smith: Yes, and on Monday uight you changed your mind. The Mayor: You are out of order. Cr. Smith: No I’m not. 1 am just pointing out that you changed your mind I The Mayor: Past debate cannot be brought up to-night. Cr. Smith: All I ask is that you do as you did on Monday night and GIVE THE RATEPAYERS A CHANCE. Continuing, he said that the extra rating for library, etc., would be 17/64d in the £. This slight increase was justified. The Mayor previously

said lie was out to assist the education of the people of the borough and he (Cr. Smith) maintained that the Mayor would he carrying out that statementby voting for the motion. Anyone with a spark of life in them would support, a proposal •for the erection of a public library. A rest, room also would be a great boon to mothers, arid bad been asked for by the people. The ratepayers have to decide these matters, and have the final decision, ns the Mayor had said. The Council was not committing itself by Hotting the matfer go before the ratepayers, and was only carrying out their wishes.

The Mayor: Haven't we an opinion from the Municipal Solicitor on the erection of a rest room? The Town Clerk pointed out that (lie opinion was in reference to a Blanket room. CR. ROSS’ ENDORSEMENT. Or. Ross endorsed Cr. Smith’s remarks and said by putting the proposal to the ratepayers they were giving them the right to decide who v-anted these conveniences. TTe was sorry the site question had come up. If the ratepayers sanctioned the loan the in-coming Council would have to carry out tile work. They, a dying Council, eonfld not carry out (lie work, but could give a lead to the. new Councillors. „ Cr. Parkin endorsed the previous speakers’ remarks. The Mayor, in speaking to his amendment, said that his reason for including three living rooms was that by doing so the library could be more economically run. The increased revenue would practically pay for this. He was opposed to voting in favour of a loan proposal. Tr was only fair that the ratepayers have a vote but he was of the opinion that, the present INEQUITABLE SYSTEM OF RATING

which was very bard on holders of farm lands within the borough, would be relieved next session by a Bill similar to that of the Rangiora Council. Then, if that were done, they couiid put anything they wished before the ratepayers. It was not fair to do so at present, however, as the l’ates were very high. He had had 12 years experience of Council business and knew something of the financial position of the people and borough. MAYOR THROWS BOUQUETS. Continuing, he “said that the Foxton people were very progressive. They had sanctioned a loan proposal for £35,000, and nearly £4,000, for water and drainage, which proves they would sacrifice anything for public health. Swimming baths were ni the interests of public health and saving o'f human life. There the sacrifice should end. The library was of secondary importance. He had been taken to task for describing a library as a luxury. Everthying one could not afford was a luxury. The borough was committed to the extent of £50,000 in rales over an annual rateable value of £97,000. The capital (liability of the borough was 12/in the £. RKOSF ECT.LVE RISE IN RATES Continuing, the Mayor said prospective rates would be even higher. The gas works, through no fault of the Council’s, would be a heavy burden and the gas rale would increase. They had to find £l,7(10 per annum whether gas was manufactured or not. Then they would be lucky if their allocation for the Shannon Bridge was £I,OOO. The Fire Board estimates, they had lie': given to urdevstand, would be fine per annum tint w ere now doviMe that, figure.. Councillors would be lacking in public duty if they did not point out these things to the ratepayers. The position should he pul clearly bffore them and they should be allowed to vote as they wished. He had been tcld his proposal was .in eleventh hour one, and some had said it was not genuine, lie believed it. was genuine even ill it was brought forward at the eleventh hour. Levin and Eastbourne had each committed their boroughs at the eleventh hour.

(Jr. Thompsui said the Mayor had covered the ground well indeed and be would support the amendment. PRESENT LIBRARY QUITE GOOD ENOUGH. Cr. Walker said he would support the amendment. The borough bad a great burden to carry and the rates were likely to increase. The library was quite suitable as at present, lie believed iu giving the ratepayer's a chance to decide these matters, howevr. CR. ADAMS AND A BATH. Cr. Adams said he would not support a motion that would mean the spending of more money until the water and drainage was finished. Cr. Smith: Why did you vote in favour of swimming baths then? Cr. Adams; 1 opposed it. The Mayor: Of course you did, Cr. Adams. Cr. Adams: I will tell you more than you know presently. Cr. Smith: You couldn’t tell me anything. Cr. Adams said the people of Pox ton paid plenty of rates and got nothing much for it. The library question should be put before the public. Cr. Smith: That’s all we ask. Cr. Adams : I’ll teil you something about swimming baths now. Cr. Smith: Is he speaking to the motion, your worship? The Mayor then asked Cr. Adams to confine himself to the motion. Cr. Adams: Very well thep, we won’t have a bath to-night. (Laughter). 'OIL BRYANT’S VIEWS. Cr. Bryant said he objected to having living rooms in the library building. They had had one experi-

nice of that. They had a lot of money to find and did not know really how much, what with the gas works, and Alain Highway Board, etc. They were also spending every penny they could on roads, which were of GREATER BENEFIT THAN A LIBRARY. Continuing, he said people should do (heir reading in their own homes. Il was far healthier. Cr. Smith: Everyone can’t afford to do that. Cr. Bryant : How many use the oublic library? Cr. Adams: Two! An old chap and his wife. Cr. Bryant, said he would oppose the Mayor’s amendment, if living rooms were, included. The Mayor: But. it’s to lie a brink building. It’s quite safe. Let (.lapoint go, Cr. Bryant. After further di seussion on this matter the Mayor withdrew that portion of bis amendment dealing with living rooms, with the unanimous consent, of the Council. Cr. Smith said he was sorry to see the Mayor bring down sueli an amendment. It was THROWING COLD WATER on the matter. He was rather surprised at the Mayor’s arguments. On Monday night he did not say anything about the rates, but put I lie best ease possible forward to gel his motion carried. Cr. Walker had said that the ratepayers should have a say. A. little while ago this Councillor said he wouldn’t take a mandate from any meeting of ratepayers. Cr. Walker: That is not correct. Cr. Smith: Yes it is. It’s on record. Continuing, he said that Cr. Bryant had referred to the MainHighways. In liis opinion they were on a good wicket there. The Mayor had referred to the library as a, luxury. This also applied to the baths, then. The Mayor did not mention that the gas works was a paying concern now and that there was a m>d demand for ca/li'fonts and cookers. Tn six years’ time the gas works loan would be paid off— The Mayor: What! What! I wish it were true. Cr. Smith: Well, you’ll have only £3,000 to find. The Mayor: Not so. It will be about. £4,000. Continuing, Cr. Smith said that he had brought this matter up in August 1923, and criticism levelled at him in a letter in the Press was -I right. He urged the Mayor to withdraw his amendment and to let the ratepayers decide. The amendment was then put and carried, Crs. Smith, Ross and Parkin voting against #nd the Mayor and Crs. Bryant, Thompson, Walker, and Adams for. The amendment then became the 'motion and was put and carried, the voting beinjr the same. LOAN PROPOSAL TO BE SUBMITTED. The following motion was then moved and carried unanimously: — “That notice be given that the Council proposes for the purpose of erecting a public library, reading room, rest room, etc., oil a site adjoining (lie Council Chambers, to raise a special loan of £1,500 at a role o/ interest - not exceeding si-x I,er cent, per annum, with a sinking fund not. exceeding one per cent and -for (lie purpose of providing fill- tin- repayment, of the loan and for Ihe payment of interest charges thereon lo appropriate and pledi/i ;is security a special rate of sev-eiileen-sixty-f’ourllis <>f Id in lhe,.C on the rateable value of all the rateable properly in the Borough of Fu.\lmi, sueli rale to be an annvialiv recurring rale during the currency of Ihe loan, and lb lie passed nfl pi- the said special loan has been agreed lo by Ihe ni l (-.payers. The whole uf Ihe loan isi<> be repaid at Iho expirv of seven years from the date of raising the same. It is proposed to pay the first year’s interest out of the loan money/’ This was moved by tlit* Mayor and seconded by Cr. Smith.