Hokitika Guardian & evening Star MONDAY, JUNE 21st, 1920. MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & evening Star MONDAY, JUNE 21st, 1920. MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE.

In another column to-day a reference is made to the subject of municipal progress. The question is raised as ;.u outcome of the Borough Council turninging down tho modest loan proposals which were before it about a week ago. In the article referred to, the possibility of raising cheap money is emphasised. It is shown that for an average

interest payment of £B4 per annum a loan of £3,000 repaid at £2OO per annum, could be negotiated and paid off in a ' period of fifteen years. That is not an unreasonable time, and so spread, the charge upon the Borough

funds would not be irksome. It is probable that the saving which could V effected in the general administration, would permit th* loan to bo repaid out of general rates, without any increase. There is also the fact that sum, if borrowed, could not be spent at once, nor in one year. The expenditure owing to the lack of labor and

the shortage of necessary material could be spread over three or four years. The relief to the general taxes by reasjon of this compulsory doforment would be apparent, and a speci il loan rate would not be necessary. Tim proposal has a great deal to commend

it, and notably the fact that the money available now is cheaper than borrowing by way of overdraft from the bank. The matter is deserving of review by the responsible body, conducting tho affairs of the town and if a. reasonable proposal were put before the people its acceptance might bo taken for grant ?d. In any case the final responsibility would have to go to the ratepayers who would determine action on the loan proposals. The modest proposals contained jn suggested town improvements do not provide for water supply needs. That is a separate matter which the Council has • elected to deal with in a. separate wav. It is of course urgent,, but till a remedy is put forward, the public are in the dark ns to what is required. It is said that there is not any shortage of water flowing into the reservoir. This, we be-

i lievo has been proved to be ample. The deficiency or leakage which it is feared occurs, takes place in the ;e----tioulation of the town. The authorities require to seek out the Cause of the waste or leakage, and this by a careful system of testing should not be difficult to do. Till this is done, the ratepayers will not know what is required of thorn, but judging by the fact that it is only a matter of . leakage which at times causes tee shortage of water, the cost of rectifying ■ the deficiency will not be as great i s was at one time supposed. It might ! be possible, for instance, by tacking £2,000 on to the loan mentioned in aii- ■ other column, to provide for the recti - j fixation of the water supply within : the limits of that modest amount. Tinquestion, however, will not be be losr ! Bight of—it is too important to stand . over the other business of the town at the same time. With the Otirn tunnel j to be finished in a couple of years it ' is high time to prepare, for coming events, and Hokitika can well afford ' a little modest expenditure in the way of smartening itself up for the new era.- due to arrive so soon.