BOROUGH FINANCE.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 314, 15 May 1894, Page 2

BOROUGH FINANCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, — I notice from your report of the meeting of the Feilding Borough Council that it has been decided to collect an extra rate of three penco in tho pound for the current year. Now, sir, three pence in the pound may not seen much to some of our wealthy townsmen, but to the struggling artisan or the labouring man with large families and small incomes, it means a good deal, and is more than niauy can pay without a struggle. If it had been shown that the money was really required for necessary urgent works it j would be another matter, and no doubt all would strive willingly to pay and to j make tho best of it, particularly if it was to be expended in street lighting, water or drainage works, and I feel satisfied that most of your readers who are ratepayers in tho Borough, will agree with me, that it was the duty of our Borough Council to Hhow tho burgesses more clearly thau has yet been done, the necessity for such an increase in our burdens. lam aware that the Mayor stated, according to your report of the meeting of the Borough Council, that tho extra revenue would be required for repairs to the Kiwitea bridge and metalling Kimboltou road, but, Sir, does not every resident in Feilding, who has lived here for any length of time, know that the Kitnbolton road has to be metalled every year, and tho Kiwitea bridge is also constantly requiring repairs. It is also admitted that the Borough will have to face the matter of erecting a new bridge at the Kiwitea stream at no long distant date, but this is an expenditure that any one conversant with the affairs of the Borough knows full well cannot be done out of the general revenue, but will require a special loan for the purpose. In addition to the extra rate of threepence iv the pound the Council ia collecting about twenty per centum more ratgs, than last year in consequence of an increase in the rateable value to that extent which affects both the General and the Loan rates. In all conscience a rate of 2/4 in the pouud in a small town such as ours wherein we receive no special benefits beyond the bare maintenance of our streets, is monstrous* Does it not

seem strange, Sir, that when for the first time in the annals of this Borough the ordinary revenue of the Borough is increased by an advance of about twenty per centum in the valuation it should have been found, necessary to further increase the burdens of the taxpayers by inflicting upon them this additional rate. I am, etc., Burgess. Feilding, May 15th, 1894.