BIRKENHEAD LOANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 391, 27 June 1928, Page 14

BIRKENHEAD LOANS

POLL TO BE HELD TO-MORROW MAYOR EXPLAINS PROPOSALS The loan proposals which the Birkenhead Borough Council is submitting to a poll of ratepayers to-morrow were explained to employees of th Colonial Sugar Company at Chelsea by the Mayor, Mr. E. G. Skeates, and several councillors, who dealt with the subject on the lines of previous meetings. The speakers were thanked for their explanation. evening the Borough Council explSifned the proposal to representatives of the various sports bodies.

OPPOSITION MEETING

RATEPAYERS DISCUSS LOANS The executive of the Birkenhead Ratepayers* and Residents’ Association met last evening to discuss the loan proposals. Mr. J. Canty presided. # Some indignation was expressed at the fact of the Mayor not making plain at his public meetings what the total cost of the schemes would be. It was said that the ultimate costs would far exceed the immediate one, and would have to come out of the estimates, necessitating an increase in rates. It was felt that the borough’s first needs were a fire brigade and drainage system. Until these were installed it was folly to consider anything else. He said the general medical opinion was that all baths would require filtration plants, but this was not provided for in the loan, and as for the statement that the baths would be self-supporting, not one of the Auckland City Council’s baths were paying their way. Members said that the expense of £450 for boat lockers for the protection of some £SO worth of boats was uncalled for, and also that a public park was not the proper place for such a building. In connection with the sports ground proposal, it was thought that the price of £1,050 was out of all reason, as the Little Shoal Bay Reserve was the ideal place for a sports ground. The intention of laying 2in mains instead of 4in or Gin, it was considered, would entail double cost when drainage and the fire brigade were insituted. It was decided to have “dodgers.” embodying these sentiments, printed and broadcast to the ratepayers.