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Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 109, 17 May 1901, Page 4

Continued from third page, of things this Council will not have to pay that amount —those who guaranteed it would have to do so, that is assuming the water proposals are not given effect to. If the proposals are carried we at once get the money back out of the loan. Cr Jones: But why strike this extra rate '?

Cr Lysnnr: The money is not there. 1 am taking these items to balance the others. Then, there is the item of A'2oo for contingencies. Do not let us be too cheeseparing. Cr Bright has pointed out that there ought to be a saving in the item of .£’2:3o for rent, elections, etc. We have got our election expenses over —they are paid for; so there are many of these items we can safely pare down. Cr Jones : Then, why the rate'? CrLysnar: We are in a safe position. Let us pass this thing, and get it done. We want to show some progress in the matter.

Cr Harding: I came hore quite prepared to support the carrying out of such improvements as we can see our way to do, but I also came with the firm determination to oppose any increase in rates. I do not think it wise at present to go in for too many improvements, and thus raise the rates to an extent likely to frighten' people away. There is one scare oil just now, and if we add to that a rate scare we will have people clearing off to the WhStaupoko and Haiti. Only a short time ago the Council could not see its way clear to go to the expense of getting Mr Mestayer to come and make a report on water and drainage, and certain individuals had to take .tbS 51 matter up and get the money guaranteed. When the question of water and drainage comes up it is likely to'be hung up for a considerable time if you go on raising the rates now—it has been hung up too long now’. The improvements set out in this elaborate schedule are all necessary, and if we have the means let us go on and get them done. The town requires more attention than it has had for the past year or two. Let us move on with the times. The question of raising the rates can safely be left for another twelve months, or at least until we have the report of Mr Mestayer before us. Cr Miller : lam afraid that it is not much use sending men of progressive ideas to the Couucil. It is all very well for the Council to approve of those reports, saying, “Yes, we want these things,” and then, when it comes td providing the money, saying “No !” It is no use of us agreeing to that if they say they will not provide enough when it comes to the question of money. It would be more honest for them to oppose these proposals straight out than approve of them, and then object to give the money required. Mr Whinray: Hear, hear; they aro old ideas resuscitated.

Cr Kennedy : We wont through these estimates very carefully the other night, and we have had certain improvements brought up for our consideration. We thought it moro prudent to have the estimates and strike the additional rate required than to eliminate any of the items so fully discussed and considered nocessary. Ido not like to see any increase of rate, but I do not like to see any of these items struck out. They are nocossary for the well being and safety of the town. I do not want to rush into extravagance, but I feel that I can conscientiously vote for an increased rate, and will therefore do so.

Cr Morrison : I do not think there are any of these items but are absolutely necessary. . Wo cannot out them down, and wo cannot be expected to carry them out without this rate. Cr Whinray : This is a very important point. What I had in my mind when the improvements w'ere originally proposed was that they might be done, but, finding that these works cannot be given effect to without an increase, I said lot us have jt for twelve months. The Council will then pay off this present loan, and can borrow another .£5,000 for Borough improvements. My idea is that this rate should not be a permanent charge. [Councillors : Hear, hear.] That is, that as soon as we get over this question of raising the loan, which we are not at present in a position to give effect to, the Council will be justified, if improvements are required, in malting the Borough loan of from .610,000 to £15,000. A sinking fund need not be provided for immediately. Let posterity do something. These things can be provided, and in twelve months’ time the rate should no longer trouble us.

On a division being taken, the estimates wore approved, Crs Jones and Harding dissenting on the ground that they wore against any increase in the rate. Cr Miller said that the estimates and question of rate could not well bo separated. Cr Jones said that certain articles might be provided for at once, The Council was really increasing the rate by sixpence.

Or Bright : No, threepence. Cr Jones : You will find it is sixpence. Cr Bright : That is only drawing a red herring across the scent. Cr Jones: We have saved threepence on the sinking fund when the rate was at Is 9d, yet you want it increased to 2s, to say nothing of increased valuations. Cr Harding: Then it must be a sixpence increase.

Cr Jones : It is sixpence more than the old Council had for expenditure, Cr Lysnar : It was Is 9d before, and will now bo 2s. The Council then went on with other business.