TO EASE RATES AND RENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2828, 20 July 1916, Page 4

TO EASE RATES AND RENTS

IMPORTANT NOTICE OP MOTION. — / Councillor Frost has given notice that he will move at the next meeting of 'the City Council, the following motion:— "(1) That tho council's policy of constructing large permanent works out of revenue is not conducivo to tho good government of the City, inasmuch as it entails a heavier burden on tho ratepayers than is consistent with the gen-, eral maintenance of the City's upkeep, and is responsible in some considerable measure for the exceedingly high rents in the City. . , "(2) That the policy of the council in future be that all such works be provided for out of loan moneys, such loans to be repayable by a sinking fund to redeem tho loan at the expiration of 40 years. "That tho Finance Committee be requested to prepare a schedule of works to be approved by the council in order .to enable the same -to be submitted to the ratepayers immediately, the money market is favourable for the raising of a loan. "Tito following list of works is recommended to be included in the schedule:— (1) Wood-paving Feathereton Street and Thorndon Quay; (2) road construction to Yogeltown, Roseneath, Northland, and Wadestown; (3) completion of reclamation and sea'wall at Oriental. Day and Kilbirnic, also construction of culvert. ICilbirnie; (4) completion of Central Park, levelling at Lyall Bay, formation of esplanade at Island Bay, and also i sum for Town Belt planting; (5) construction of tunnel Orongorongo; (G) pro-vision-for better access to Hataitai and North Kilbirnie for vehicular traffic; (7) construction of passenger lift, Wellington Terrace- (8) erection of fire station, Constable Street; (9) erection, of clearing house for milk; (10) completion of drainage and water servico to outlying districts; (11) other necessary works. Tho effect of Councillor Frost's motion,' if carried, would be that all big work's should 1m provided out : of loan moneys by tho raising of a loan which would be repayable iu 10 years,.which lays somo burden upon posterity, instead of piling it on to the people at the present time, and so sustaining tug high rate 3 (and, consequently, rents), Sucha loan is. according to the motion, to be put before th« .ratepayers Immediately the money market is favourable for raising a loan," which can liaraly be until some.'time after the cessation oi hostilities. _____