RATEPAYERS' MEETING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 154, 16 December 1913, Page 2

RATEPAYERS' MEETING.

Turns down Progressive

Proposals.

Wants Pans Instead of Sewerage.

Refuses to Borrow for Road Construction.

"Let Fire Brigade Rip."

There were about sixty people at last night's meeting ol borough ratepayers, held in the Oddfellows' hall, Pukekohe. The largo attendance was a most satisfactory feature because it showed that a considerable amount of attention has been

paid to the proposals which the Borough Council has brought forward. The Mayor (Mr Lawrie) presided, and all the borough councillors were present. Mr Lockie Gannon, who prepared the drainage scheme, was also in attendance. THE DRAINAGE SCHEME. The Mayor explained the steps that had been taken in connection with the proposod sanitation of the borough. The engineer's estimate of the cost of sewerage was £BSOO, and it was estimated that whereas the sewerage would cost £SOO (and provide for a population of over 7000), a night-soil system to provide for present requirements would cost £320 a year. The debate which followed was full of interest. It was notable that most of the opposing speakers declared themselves in favour of sewerage—but not ut present. Some desired sewerage for the thicklypopulated part of the town but wanted the whole borough to pay for it. Finally the following motion was submitted : " That this meeting of ratepayers requests the Borough Council to submit loan proposals to carry out the drainage scheme, as outlined at this meeting, to a poll of the ratepayers." > Then came an amendment: " That the report be referred back to the Council to have included in the scheme the cost of laying the water-mains to-eovor the same area as is proposed to instal a drainage system.—This was carried. Another resolution : " That the poll for the loan be taken over the whole borough, the borough to be rated proportionately," was also put and carried. And still another resolution: "That a system for the removal of night-soil by pan be installed in the borough," was also carried. The lost resolution was the which the chairman accepted as being the expression of the meeting's final decision. DON'T BORROW FOR ROADS. The Council's propoeals to raise another £ISOO for Harris-street and £IOOO for King-street received short shift and by a big show of hands it' was decided not to borrow any more money until the present allocations , are spent. , •',-'. THE FIRE BRIGADE. It was reported that £7OO would be required to " properly equip the brigade." An expression of opinion that tho brigade should- "be let rip *' and that no further money bo borrowed for the purpose appeared' to find Btrong favour. But eventually it was agreed to refer the matter to a vote of the ratepayers as to whether the equipment money would be raised by loan or not. A detailed report will appear in our next issue.