EARTHQUAKE LOANS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 69, 14 December 1937, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE LOANS

Hawke's Bay County Council's Burden ENTITLED TO RELIEF! The ratepayers in the Hawke's Bay County are entitled to an equal consideration with that accorded to those paying rates to other loeal bodies. This view was taken by members of the Ilawke 's Bay County Gouncil to-day v/hen the question of representations to the Minister of Finance regarding earthquake loans was under consideration. "Our loan is for only £3000," said Mr F. B. Logan_ chairman, who explained that following the earthquake the damage estimated to highways in the county was £39,800 and £17,900 for roads other than highways with bridges thereon. Defects h&d been constantly discovered siuce then and the amount of damage had practically doubled the estimate. The council applied for a loan of £16., 500 but was told by the Treasury in consideration of its financial position that it was able to bear its own expenditure and only £3000 was approved. A loan for this amount was raised which it was hoped would have been written off. "There was no disagreement when we were told that the Napier loan was written off; in fact we rejoiced to hear it," continued Mr Logan. This council is not working for profit and I consider that our ratepayers are entitled to the same consideration that others are receiving. Because we were in a good fmancial , position in 1931 should not count against us. It is not a question of considering this council but our ratepayers. 'We should ask the Minister if we cannot borrow from the Reserve Bank at 1$ per cent. in the same way that money has been found for the housing seheme. "Perhaps there is not much money left there?" observed Mr N. P. Eriksen. "The Reserve Bank is full of it," replied Mr Logan. "The way they blew up the Meeanee bridge they ought to pay for the lot. I never saw such destruction in my life," said Mr Eriksen. "We had better not say anything more about it now or else we might say too much," added the chairman. It was decided that the council Ishould be represented at the meeting of local bodies to be held at Hastings next monfH.