THE ONSLOW LOAN POLL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1739, 2 May 1913, Page 4

THE ONSLOW LOAN POLL.

AN EXPLANATION. .Stuno litl)n explanation is perhaps needed to explain the double issue put to ratepayers of Onslow (with the exception of Lower Kaiwarra) in respect to tho loan polls decided oil Wednesday. . The larger proposal to sanction (lie raising of .CIS.OOO for (lie construction of a dani to contain 1,000,000 gallons of water was thrown out by the ratepayers hy 257 to 202 votes. Tho socond proposal to raiso a loan of .EIGOO for tho catchment area was carried by tho large majority of 314 to 04. This .£I6OO was really a debt due by the borough on tho catchment area, ami had to be met cither by loan or a general rate. When the area was purchased in 1009 for UJtfiOO, that amount, was borrowed and used up without quite meeting all the obligations, and owing to difficulties of ono sort or another a Compensation Court settlement could not be arrived at, so the amount required was acquired by the council at 4J per cent. This amount had to be repaid by hook or by crook, and the bulk of the ralepavers knew that if tho loan was not sanctioned the amount would be collected by means of a special rate. The ,£I6OO will clear off tho amount owing, and will rouble tho council to proceed with the fencing of the catchment area, preparatory to planting il, against the time when a majority of iho electors decide that an efficient gravitation ' water supply is necessary.