THE BOROUGH LOAN.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 68, 10 February 1883, Page 2

THE BOROUGH LOAN.

♦ At the last meeting of the Borough Council held on Thursday evening, Conncillor Lewebs handed in a petition of the ratepayers, soliciting the Mayor to take steps towards raising a loan of £6000 to be expended in public works within the Borough. The petition is signed by a large majority of the ratepayers, and will be considered by the Council on the 22nd inst. It is now upwards of six months since efforts were made to obtain the assent of the ratepayers to a similar proposal, but were defeated by the strong opposition that was offered by those who advocated an accompanying schedule of works, and which was omitted trom the scheme. The proposal having now assumed a more popular form, suited to the views of ratepayers of various shades of opinion, we can safely expect that on the day of polling it wiil meet popular support. This is almost assured, for a majority of ratepayers has signed the memorial, and a number of others whose names do not appear on it have intimated their intention of supporting it. On the night when the petition comes before the Council for discussion, it is to be hoped that all the members will put in an appearance and take an active and discriminating part in the debate. Each councillor should remember that if he is absent from his post on this occasion, the ratcpapers of a section of the Borough wiil be unrepresented, and therefore he wiil have failed in his duty to the people whose delegate he is. These remarks we deem necessary, because, of late, we have observed a marked falling off in the attendance of councillors, and a great want of punctuality in those who do put in an appearance. The little business of any interest that has been brought before the Council during the paoi few months may be some slight excuse, but it will not palliate absence from two or three consecutive meetings. When gentlemen accept the honor of a seat at the Borough Council table, they should not evade any of its duties or responsibilities, even if irksome or uninteresting. We believe that the importance of the interests involved will attract councillors on this occasion, and induce them to openly discuss the subject of the loan in a fair and impartial spirit. The ratepayers, who are the parties most concerned, will also do well to prepare themselves to take part in the public meeting which will in the ordinary course of events be held, to discuss the loan and approve of the schedule of works ; and in their hands will lie the decision of the question as to whether Feilding is to be assisted by them to take its proper position as the leading township on the Coast, or to remain in the background. It can bo contended that we are now in a highly prosperous condition, and require no extraneous assistance. That this is true in part no one acquainted with the place can deny. Yet we are of opinion that a loan judiciously spent will add greatly to its progress ; and be an inducement for new settlers to take up land in the vicinity of the Borough, and share in its welfare, while assisting it in the march of progress. ___________________