A SLIGHT BREEZE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 258, 18 October 1928, Page 4

A SLIGHT BREEZE.

ON QUESTION OF TREES. Cleaning up Streets. A report by the resident engineer on the progress of loan works, read at the last meeting of the Putaruru Town Board, stated .that as the contract was nearing completion the board should decide finally whether they would plough and clean up the sides of certain streets after removal of scrub, etc.

Mr. Barr Brown: Why is the matter brought up again ? It was emphatically turned down a few meetings ago.

The chairman: There is nothing to prevent anyone bringing up anything as often as he likes, provided it is done in a proper manner. Mr. Barr Brown disagreed, holding that as the question was defeated that should be the end of the matter. The chairman stated his view was that the proposal was only defeated before because certain members thought it should be held over till a later date. After some further remarks this view was accepted by the majority of members, Mr. McDermott remarking that he would like to be sure the money was there.

The chairman replied that ten per cent additional on certain items was allowed for in compiling estimates for the loan, while there was an amount of £175 which brought the loan estimates up to the round figure of £7500, and which the Loans Board wrote about. The clerk: That is so.

Continuing, the speaker stated neither of these items had been touched and were there for such purposes. He bad been amazed at the opposition in view of the exceptional price and advantages to the town, and pointed out it would cost the beautifying society nearly double the amount to do the work later, when the crossings were put in and watertables made. Prominent citizens had called on him supporting the proposal and he knew the matter would be brought up at the beautifying society meeting. To leave the works in their present untidy state was like dressing a shop window and leaving the window with whiting on. Mr. Tomalin: If it comes to a vote I want to say that I think that if we are not going to beautify the town we should have left the roads alone.

The chairman (after reading the previous resolution): I can’t allow a vote to-night owing to the wording of the previous resolution. A special meeting will have to be called and due notice given. When a date was being suggested for ths special meeting Mr. Tomalin declared emphatically: “I’ll come on Sunday rather than see it defeated.”

Mr. Neal: I believe I would, too. (Laughter). In expressing his views, Mr. Neal stated that if one thing should be charged to loan it was surely beautifying. for it was the one thing which lasted for all time, roads wearing out. After all, it was only £2O spread over 20 years. Cambridge owed much of its popularity to its early pioneers who looked ahead and beautified the town, while Hamilton had set aside thousands for beautifying purposes. Mr. Barr Brown: That’s all right; they are wealthy bodies; but we can’t afford it. We have to be careful. Mr. Tomalin urged that there was a difference between carefulness and meanness, and to view matters in that light was meanness.

Mr. Barr Brown: I resent that, Mr. Chairman.

The chairman: I see nothing improper in his remarks. He didn’t make a personal reference; he was comparing standards.

Continuing, the chairman held that no member was more careful of the board’s finances than he was. After framing two estimates he had been told by the board that the general rate would be too low, yet events had proved him to be correct. To turn down the present proposal was, in his opinion, sheer folly. Mr. McDermott: It’s all right if we have the money. The chairman: We have the money. Mr. Barr Brown: I don’t see the use of holding the meeting. I can ee there is going to be a block vote for it.

Mr. Neal: Well, I am committed to it from the public platform; and I think the chairman is, too. The chairman: That is so. I have always promoted all forms of beautifying as being one of the best business assets a town can have. Mr. Tomalin: If we are not going to clean things up and beautify we shan’t have done anything. It was then decided that a special meeting be called to deal with the question in a week’s time, as the matter couldn’t legally be decided at that meeting.