The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 23.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 184, 23 April 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 23.

The minds of certain members of 'the Borough Council must have undergone a radical change, judging by the majority with which Cr O'Reilly's motion to borrow £3000 was carried at the last meeting of that body. When, this proposition was first laid before the Council, the idea was received wiih almost derision, and the mover was metaphorically "sat upon" there and then. Undaunted, however, by the unfavorable reception accorded to his motion at its first presentation, Cr O'Reilly gave notice that he would introduce the question again at a certain date, and, in the meanwhile, with praiseworthy shrewdness and dili. gence, worked up his subject, obtained the necessary information and advice from reliable sources, and prepared estimates, which, if not absolutely faultless, are sufficiently correct to demon strate most conclusively that a scheme such as he proposed, modified it might be, but still the same in effect, must bo adopted in the interests of the Borough and the ratepayers. Armed with these data, he again brought forward his proposition on the date appointed, and, doubtless to the surprise of many, carried his point with the greatest success, aud by a large majority. We have not far to go to find the cause of this utter change in the opinions of those Councillors who now supported what they before ridiculed and too hastily put aside. Tlie financial state of the Council has been forcibly represented to them by a notice from tbe Bank, drawing attention to tlie state of their overdraft, at that time of considerable amount, which, it is needless to state, the Council was unable to provide for. " Misfortunes never come singly," it is said, aud, as if to bear out the truth of the old adage, at this very time, when the question of the overdraft was before them, other accounts, representing a large sum were presented for payment, necessitating in their discharge a still greater dependency on the Bank, and placing the financial position of the Council in a more alarming state than before. The required accommodation was granted by the Bank, but it became only too plain to the majority of the Councillors that this was a state of ■affairs which could not last; that if to merely carry on the ordinary business of the Council, with no funds whatever to expend on the necessary repairs and improvements in theßorough, entailedaperpetual overdraft of considerable amount, the ratepayers would not be receiving due return for their money, the Borough itself Avould fall into a disgraceful state for want of proper attention, and in short, that under such circumstances, the Council was a farce. Henpe the action of the majority in supporting Cr O'Reilly's motion at. the last meeting, a course of action which we indorse. The fate of the motion now rests with the ratepayers in accordance with the terms of the " Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, and we Would earnestly advise the burgesses to give the matter their full and unprejudiced consideration. It is for them to consider whether it is better to remain at the present stand-still order of affairs, with their roads and bridges sadly wanting, but without the means of obtaining, repairs ; with their properties, though they have a right to expect it, unimproved, and their money, which should go toward that improvement, expended on mere office expenses ; or to anticipate a few years income, ancl borrow a sum sufficient to put the Borough thoroughly in order, and in such a state

of repair that little or no expenditure will be required for a considerable ] period to keep it in that condition, bebesides the execution of other public works which by increasing the attractiveness of the place cannot fail to increase the value of property, and be a source of annual revenue to the Borough. It is for them to weigh well the pros and cons of this matter, each for himself, not to listen to and be guided by the feverish utterings of alarmists, or the prejudiced opinions of those whose interests lie, it may be, in other schemes for reasons which do not come to the surface. With regard to the legality of borrowing money for public works on the security of the general rates, the recent action taken by the Masteiton Borough Council, and which is duly gazetted, is sufficient authority. We hope to see this important question fairly and impartially discussed, and taken on its merits, at the forthcoming public meeting, when, doubtless, there will be, or at least there should be, a large attendance of ratepayers. On their decision may rest that "tide in the affairs of the Borough which, if taken at the flood, may lead to fortune," and itbehoves them to act, not rashly, but with due deliberation. Cr O'Reilly deserves, whatever may be the ultimate fate of his motion, the thanks of the community for his clear exposition of the financial position of the Borough, and his evident singleness of purpose in the interests of the ratepayers.