ELTHAM AND ITS NEEDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 802, 27 April 1910, Page 8

ELTHAM AND ITS NEEDS.

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER. Important matters relating to the Borough of Eltham were brought under Hie notice of the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) by a deputation, which was introduced by Mr. THve, M.P. It was first of all pointed out to the Prime Minister that a few years ago the Mtham- Borough carried out a wntersupply scheme by tapping tho Wninorigoro River. The result was an action for damages by the Hawera Electric Light Company, which, by an Act of Parliament, had been given certain rights over the river, i In tho end, the council found that it had to pay JC3OO damages, and costs amounting to nearly ,£I2OO. On the plea that'the difficulty hnd arisen through the action of Parliament in giving such powers to .file Hawera Electric Light Company, the council petitioned Parliament for the payment of costs, and the Petitions Committee reported favourably on the request. The deputation desired to press' the matter on tho attention of the Government. Sir Joseph' (in reply) said he would ngain bring the matter before Cabinet. He wished to make it clear, however, that the principle was one which did not meet with his" approval. If once laid down, it would, he added, lead to a flood of simitar, applications. ..A'.difficulty, which .had. arisen in connection with the raising of a loan for the construction of' gasworks was then, mentioned. When the Local Bodies Loans Act was in operation, tho councjl (it was stated) was authorised by the , ratepayers to raise a loan for £10,000 for the purpose. In due course,; the Treasury, authorised the loan. The rate of interest was to be A\ per. cent., but..in the hope that the rate of interest would go down the council delayed : takine' tlie necessary steps to get tho money. .While they wore waiting the State Guaranteed Advances Act was passed, repealing the Local Bodies' Loans Act, and compelling ■ local bodies either to borrow privately, or to apply to the State-Guaranteed Advances Board for. the loan. But. when the council applied to tho Advances Board, the request was refused. ■ Sir Joseph (in reply) advised the council to send in a fresh application, promising to .place the facts before the board. He made it clear, however, that the board was giving precedence to applications'for loans for such purposes as roads and bridges,' water and' sanitation. Gasworks wjpuld, he continued, probably come next, but loans for such purposes wonld not be • granted until the more urgent necessities had been provided for.