The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1885. The New Bate

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 114, 12 March 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1885. The New Bate

Although it may appear a hardship that the ratepayers should have sixpence added to their present rates, now amounting to 2s Id in the £, yet when the actual circumstances of the case which the rate is intended to meet are considered, the hardship disappears. Recent unexpected calls on the ordinary revenue have put it beyond the means of the Borough to meet the expenditure which is now absolutely necessary to erect protective works at the Kiwitea bridge on the Ximbolton road. It is estimated the cost of these works will be under £200, and their immediate execution will be the means of saving future losses by floods in the Kiwitea which may amount to one or two thousand pounds. After the experience the ratepayers have had of what a flood may cost them when proper precautions are omitted to prevent avoidable damage, they may certainly be expected to spend a lesser in order to save a greater sum. It is not probable that the rate will be collected for more than one year as it is beyond the power of the Council to ask the ratepayers to vote for a loan to pay an existing overdraft, so that the resolution to that effect passed at the last meeting of the Council will have to be rescinded, and only sufficient money for the work asked for. Under these circumstances we hope the ratepayers will manfully support the proposal for this rate, and at the same time do it with a good grace, for they must remember it is impossible for them to avoid having to pay in one shape or another. In a time of difficulty like the present all burgesses should give sturdy support to their representatives in the Borough Council, more especially when it was by no deliberate act of theirs that such difficulty arose, but by the act of God.