THE £25,000 LOAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3005, 30 September 1908, Page 5

THE £25,000 LOAN.

DISCUSSION AT THE COUNCIL MEETING.

At the meeting of the Borough' • Council last evening Cr J. Hunter ' asked the Mayor what amount of rate was being collected in connection with the £25,000 loan. The Mayor replied that only sufficient was being collected, to cover the amount required for the ■ purposes of meeting interest and sinking fund. He wished to know what the point was at which Cr Hunter was uiiving. He said such information could always be obtained from the Town x Clerk. Cr Hunter asked again, was thp. ■ Council collecting a rate on the whole £25,000,'0r only on £20,000, or it' >". riot; on what amount? The Town Clerk replied that'the rate was being collected on £21,000 V ', Cr Ewington: That is wrong, surely. There is £4,000 for gas loan, \ and £I,OOO for water improvements. The Mayor: Yes, but the £I,OOO is being debited to the water account. Cr Hunter: Well, are we paying for the £I,OOO twice over? The Mayor replied in the negative. He wished to know why .Councillors did not seek this information from the Town Clerk. Cr Hunter had voted with thu Council for the making of the various rates. He could notunder-st'-»nd the present inquiries unless H was all "gallery play." He was not there to .be cross-examined by. Cr Hunter or anyone else. Hunter: Those remarks are qu.Ud uncalled for. It should not be n 'cessary for us to come to the Town Clerk to tell him what rates should h° "ollefted. The Mayor: I notice nothing is said until certain references are made in the papers. Cr Hunter supported the motion- for the making f of the rate regarding the'£2s,ooo- - Cr Hunter contasted this state < ment. The minutes of the meeting at which the rate was struck were reverted to, and here it was shown that Cr Hunter had voted for the striking of the rate. j -.; Cr Hunter said it was one thing to vote for the striking of a rate, and another to collect the amount required for the Council's purposes. The Mayor: However, your objection is now too late.Cr Hunter: Your Worship will excuse me, but you are going to "fall in" over this. The Mayor interpolated that Cr Hunter had fallen in already. Cr Hunter repeated that it was the Town Clerk's business to collect so- ; much nf the ( rate as was necessary. He did not intend to allow himself ro be muzzled. ( The Mayor: And I don't intend to listen to any more "twaddle." Cr Hunter resumed his seat affirming that he was right in the point he had raised.