TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11482, 15 January 1903, Page 6

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Sir,—The great majority of. the electors are, I believe, unacquainted with the provisions of the Act, and therefore some information as to its salient features will probably prove of interest. Outside altogether of the question of borrowing, the Board has power to make and levy an ordinary rate for.current expenses and administrative purposes. At the beginning of each year the tfoard must make wi estimate of its requirements for the year, and strike a rate calculated to produce the required amount, notifying the same to the several local bodies, who shall proceed to collect the same. In the rate for the first year (1903) the cost of preparing the first electoral rolls of the election, and of the special Act, beeides office ient> salaries of officers, fees of members. And other current expenses, must be provided. This ordinary rate may not exceed 3d in the £ on the annual value.

It is entirely optional wifcb the Board whether the members shall be paid fees or. not. Borough Councillors, members of Koad Boarde, County Councils, Drainage Board, etc., receive no fees, but give their •ervices freely to the public. Unless needy men, hungry for billets, are elected, it doe* not necessarily follow that there will be any payment to members. Nor does there eeem any special reason why they should be paid. ... * The Board has power, with the consent of the ratepayers, to borrow £250,000, and a further earn of £100,000, the interest and a sinking fund of £ per cent, being secured by a special rote. But the Board is not bound to borrow and itself carry out the construction of the tramways It has full power to grant concessions* for tin work. Should the ratepayers negative the Board , * proposal for a loan, the next best thing to do w*fald be to grant such concessions, under strict conditions as to maximum fares, etc., with the option to the Board of purchasing at the expiration of (cay) seven or ten years, at a valuation. The 'tramways wouH on that case not be postponed, while their municipalisation would only be a question of time, but nevertheless « certainty if so desired.

From all I have heard, and notwithstanding the noise made by a few pereons, I bebeve that a loan would not be approved on a vote of the ratepayers, and that before many months the Board will be face to face with the question of granting conceesione.

Another question arises, materially affecting the granting or negativing any proposed loan: Why should.those portione of the tramways district that are not served by trams be* rated equally with those vhere a good service is provided? Residents of Lyttelton or Kaiapoi, who have no liability to rating, will benefit as greatly by Christchurch trams as those of Riccarton or Halswell, who must pay their quota of ordinary and special rates and sinking fond. To overcome thie injustice it should be laid down that if and when the lines pay a definite profit, it should be handed over to the local authorities of the wntrammed portions of the area, by way of refund, to be applied in reduction of local rates, thus fairly equalising matters »U round.

Oar rulers, in their wisdom, lave placed tB in this position—that, notwithstanding tho demand for a Greater Christchurcli, and th* object lesson of an over-riding Drainage Board, a nipwUr Board with like independent jurisdiction and borrowing and sating powers has been established. As wt the ratepayers have practically bad no say in the matter. They must now elect a Board, and then the trouble begins. Rejoicing that I am not a candidate, though isiiir Qualified.—Years, etc., OBSERVER.