MUNICIPAL FINANCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 867, 13 July 1910, Page 10

MUNICIPAL FINANCE.

MAYOR DECLINES TO BORROW. CITY MUST "GO SLOW." Replying to a represontat-ivo deputation of fruit and produce merchants yesterday, on the suggestion that Allen and Blair Streets, where tho fruit markets are located, should lie woodblocked, the Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.l\) unburdened himself of his views on municipal finance. Shortly stated, tho ' arguments adduced by the deputation in support of its suggestion were that tho nature and extent of the business which was done in these thoroughfares justified some regard being given to. sanitary conditions. These streets required constant cleaning, entailing the sen-ices oj a large number of men, a largo cost in upkeep, for tho traffic was very great «it all hours of tho day. Tho. council received £320 a year in fees from: tho merchants, who had created a hive of industry in that part of tho city. Mr. James Doyle, Corporation inspector, in reply, to a question from the Mayoi, said that there was no doubt as to tho accuracy of the statements, and that, the streets should be put in a better condition.

In his reply, tho Mayor said that it would cost £3510 to woodblock the streets in question, and he could seo no way ■of financing tho proposition unless it could bo shown that a saving could be' made in the cost of scavenging. Ho quite that tho council should do something in tho direction of improving ait area which had been developed by business having to do with the vending of articles for human consumption, but the city had not the money to do it.- Tho sum allocated for street improvements and upkeep was no greater now, with the inclusion of tho Northland mid Wadestown districts, than it was when the city absorbed Melrose. Tho streets had been starved on account of the demands made upon the municipal purse for expenditure on reserves. It was a question whether the city should block the streets under mention or fulfil its obligation to improve the suburban thoroughfares—tho latter an argent necessity.- From what ho could see of the actual position he felt convinced that they would havo to.go. slow for tho next four years—ho was not going to borrow while he was Mayor, as the burden on tho ratepayers, was quite heavy enough. The expenditure must bo kept within .the revenue for the period indicated, when the revenue would be increased by £30,000, brought about by the termination of existing leases.. Then they might borrow without increasing the rates. However, he would submit tho question to the Finance Committeo that afternoon.

The deputation then thanked his Worship and withdrew.

It is understood that as the result of the subsequent discussion by tho Finance Committee of the question, the city engineer will be asked to furnish a report.