The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1889. Borough Affairs

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 78, 21 December 1889, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1889. Borough Affairs

The history of the Borough' of Feilding during the Mayoral term which expired on Wednesday last, has been uneventful, but at tb.9 same time a lot of useful work has been done. We are indebted to the courtesy of the Town Clerk, Mr GK C. Hill, for supplying us with the following figures, which will give the ratepayers a tolerably accurate idea of " how the money has gone." In addition to the ordinary maintenance works, the following streets, have been metalled : — Hubner's road, £18 18s; Fitzroy street, £10 7s 9d ; Railway Line, £9 16s. Formation— Bimon street, £9 15s; Pharazyn street, £10. Filling approaches to Warwick street bridge and groin, £27. Total, £85 16s 9d. Included in the ordinary maintenance charges are — Metal for streets, £44 ; drain pipes, £60; proportion of charge made by Manchester Road Board for repairs to the bridge ovei* the Oroua River on the Feilding Ashurst road, £36 ;..total, £140. We may mention that this charge of £36 was a surprise to the Oouucil when made. However nothing else could be done but " pay aud look pleasant." With those amounts included, the total cost of maintenance for the period in question was £337. This is not unfavorable when compared with the period for 1888, £407 ; for 1887, £395 ; and for 1886, £348. A very necessary grant of £25 was made to the local i ( 'i!« Brigade, The Bank overdraft at th-.-present time is about £337, which, we are glad to state, will be further reduced by the sum of £195., Government subsidy, in the course of a few days. This will leave the liability of the Council to the Bank at say £182, which, we believe, is lower than it has been for some years. In this connection, we would now point out that if the burgesses would do their part of the work by paying in outstanding rates, the new Mayor, Mr F. Y. " Lethbkidge, would be able to commence his term of office with a clean pheet, because beyond the interest and sinking fund for loan the Borough has no liabilities. The revenue for 1888-9 has been less tban the preceding period, no doubt from the fact of the burgesses not having been sued — or threatened — for rates due. We take advantage of this opportunity to congratulate the late Mayor, Dr Moncktox, on the good work he did for the Borough during his term of office, in the whole of which time he was iudefatigable in the performance of his duties, and neglected nothing. On the subject of " deadhead" advertising as attempted by certain so called "local institutions" the Westport News says : — It is to be regretted that the sweet tiust and confidence in their fellowmeii which used to distinguish newspaper people, have fled, it is to be feared, for ever, iiude experience has caused them to be wary and suspicious. The change is to be regretted but it unavoidable. An eel ma}' get used to skinning 1 , but news papers now-a-daya decline to become used to advertise for nothiug.