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Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1920, Page 2

Nothing attempted; nothing done. 1 That appears to be the comment to lit ■ the inaction of the Borough Council with regard to the Borough loan proposals. A modest £3,000 was mooted §ppie mpnths ago as a sum necessary to do a good deal of improvement about ( the town in the nature of permanent work, whjch would relieve the ordinary revenue, and permit of larger expenditure ip maintenance. Such work as the Hal} Street drain which is being done put of revenue cpuld well be a charge against a small loan, and other allied works which were scheduled a long time ago as required could be attended to also. The Council, however became alarmed at the state of the water supply and the need for augmenting it. Whether this con b e done by stopping- the evident leakage going on, or by an independent supply is for tho report to disclose. If all the \ water that is supposed to flow into the reservoir were available, a fresh service should not be necessary, for there is the belief that an undue loss is taking place in leakage. Nevertheless a greater 'supply of water should be assured in one way or another both for fire prevention and sanitary purposes and tile Council is to lie commended on taking this matter up. But it is to be hoped the Council will advance the question as rapidly as possible. Some alarm is being felt at times regarding the adequacy of the water sunplv and the sooner the Council goes into the yompletest detail the better. At the same time a modest loan for civic improvements is not beyond the means of the place. The money can I be borrowed at a lower rate than bank overdraft, so that if an overdraft be necessary for works, it would be i more economical to carry them out of borrowed money. The ordinary ievonuc thus freed would enable the town to be put ship-shape, and kept in that condition. The prospects of ‘lie place wore never brighter, and tile Council might well go out and meet the good ship prosperity now nearing our shores, and be in a position to enjoy the better times when they arrive. Probably if the long delayed Progress League were in being it would take up civic improvements as a branch of its operations. Mr Coulson appeared to stand alone at the Council meeting, and it is a pity so much of the business of the Council done in camera. The public are not aware of the influences guiding the remaandler of the members. That is one of the defects of a. committee of

the whole -Council dealing with an iin portant question. It is cut and dried in committee, and the public, are not enlightened by any subsequent discussion.- Mr Coulson lias the remedy of taking the ratepayers into his confidence by publishing the particulars ol the proposed £3,000 loan, and a public meeting might be called to discuss she matter, while above all, the fullest light should be thrown on the water supply question. If an interest in Borough affairs could he stirred up just now it would be a good tiling for the welfare of the town. ,