LOANS WITHOUT POLLS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1929, Page 8

LOANS WITHOUT POLLS.

WELLINGTON HAS BIG TOTAL, POWERS OF LOCAL BODIES. WELLINGTON, December 12. A good deal has been said recently of the policy adopted by the City Council of raising loans by “special order” —by virtue of powers given by street widening legislation, upon authority obtained from the Board of Healtli in such matters as water and drainage services and extensions, and latterly hv the raising of loans for the relief of unemployment—in each case without taking a poll of the ratepayers. Very few people realise, however, that during the past three or four years the loans so determined upon by the City Council, “loans without polls,” have reached the surprisingly grand total of £759,000. In the same period tho loans authorised by the ratepayers have totalled £234,075, of with the Mount Victoria tunnel loan of £161,-

250 authorised in 1920, a total of £395,325. r l’lie possibility of a further relief work loan has been several times mentioned at the Council of Council Committe tables and under the recent Aviation Encouragement Act the Conn-, oil is empowered to raise a loan not exceeding £SOOO for the setting out and maintenance of the aerodrome without a poll of the ratepaj'ers. Should the city and suburban water supply scheme eventuate in part or in whole the estimated cost of the pro-po-sed Hutt River development is £560,000. The Water Board may raise the necessary finance by way of special order. It has been several times stated in a general way that the city’s share of the cost would be between 70 and 80 per cent.