The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 165, 15 February 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

Councillor Mkech's proposition, at the last meeting of the Borough Council, to enlarge the boundaries , of the Borough, demands a careful consideration at the hands of the Council. It must be remembered that, financially speaking, there is no gain in the Borough being enlarged so as to acquire merely a few more acres of land, and that, unless a proportionate amount of monetary benefit is derived from the addition of so much territory, it were better perhaps if the Borough confined itself to its present area, and that it was managed properly. The question of taking over the wharves, too, in the present impecunious state of the Borough, is simply ridiculous, unless the Borough Council desire to be the possessor of a white elephant of no mean proportions, and decidedly of no small dimensions. We do not in the least desire to obstruct the progress of the.Borough—far from it, we would in every way assist in promoting its welfare; but, when the question arises of adding to its extent at the ex-, pense of its credit, we may be pardoned for sounding a note of warning, and for endeavouring to check what is undoubtedly the worst evil that can befall a growing district, namely, too much outlay, with small returns, and the consequent inability to meet current expenses. If the extension of the boundaries which has been proposed, includes so much per capita pecuniary returns from ratepayers included in that extension, then it is undoubtedly for the good of the Borough that the addition be made, but if it is the taking in of .merely a few more acres of land, without an adequate return of pecuniary benefit, in the shape of rates, &c, then we hold that it were better to defer the consideration of the matter to some future time, when the financial state of the Borough is in a more promising condition. As regards the taking over of the wharves, we strongly deprecate such a course ot action, and trust that the Council will not rashly, and without due consideration, entertain this question.