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Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1930, Page 4

Concern is expressed from time to time at the growing funded debt of the local bodies. The amount at March, 1929, stood at the large sum of £09,294,619. This 'debt lias increased rapidly of late years because of the creation, of fresh loc-al bodies, and the desire to cover localities with the latest modern facilities avaib able The expenditure in the cities for tramway.-, has 1)0611 considerable, and the debt on these. facilities is in the region of isix millions.. Electric supply and lighting which has spread all over the Dominion at a rapid rate, represents a local body debt of over -fifteen millions. These two instances account for a substantial proportion of the total debt. Other costly undertakings involved are drainage, sewage and water supply, about fourteen millions, and harbour works about eleven millions. Substantially more than half of the total debt is tliuS accounted for under the foul 1 headings set diit. Ther§ aie Other purposes for which loan moneys were raised, including, Of course roads, bridges, public buildings, liibattoins, lire prevention, river, works, etc.i nil of course necessary and important to the respective comm unties. The fact to be borne in mind about the raising of loans, is that the decision rest with the ratepayers, and it is on their voices the local bodies are empowered to incur the debts. Loans are not as long dated as. they once were, and it is conceivable to understand that a fair percentage of the debt is in respect of works which are obsolete, or which no longer exist, 'but the debt remains fill liquidated. In this respect it is as well to bear in mind that the annual charges for local body loans, by way of interest, sinking fund and repayments of principal, amount to upward of five millions. 'There ,is nowadays greater restriction on local body "borrowing, but in many quarters it cannot be avoided. On the West Coast borrowing is not so pronounced of late years. The local h-odies appear to have/ realised that the burden of bori owed money for which they are responsible, is ample, and except in emergency there is not the inclination to go on the market. Westland local bodies in particular,, do not attempt a .great deal of borrowing, and in view of dearer money and more stringent times, the policy is a wise one. Strong finance nowadays is best described as living within the local body’s means, for with failing prices for staple commodities produced within the district, the local bodies must prepare for some curtailment of revenue. or at all events, not add. to the burden borne already by: the ratepayers. The general economic situation seems rather to force a policy of this character on the local bodies, and there will be wisdom in observing it. On the figures quoted above, the local bodies of the Dominion have gone far with general borrowing, and it will rat be at all harmful to practice economies and certainly restraint in respect to costly works which can be done without or postponed to a more convenient season.

School tennis rackets from 12s Gd at Yarralls sports and music depot.— Advt.

The visit of the PUmket nurse will take place to-morrow (Friday). 'Jhe nurse will, visit in the morning-, and will be at Sit. Andrew's Hall in the afternoon. Mothers are notified that a supply of Pliinket emulsion can now be obtained at Mrs Randall’s.

Owing to tiie extensive list of books in the Rev. J. W. Hayward’s library it was "found impossible to offer the wliole of the catalogue at yesterday's sale. Tim unsold Lots about 160 volumes will be offered at a special sale in the Mart to-morrow (Friday,) alp ternoon at 2.30 o’clock by W. Jeffries and Co.

Just arrived at Patersons a wonderful range of childrens pinarettes, frocks and aprons, at prices to suit all pockets. See these for yourself.

xVt the meeting of rhe West Coast Rugby "Union at Greymouth last evening, it was decided to hold on Saturday next, the seven-a-side senior and junior tournament which -Was postponed last week on account of the web weather. The Sar.itv seveu.-a-skk- tournament set down to be played at Rumara on Saturday next, was postponed until ■ Saturday, October 1 tf.il. ’ .

The Westland County Council is cbntiiiulipg the improvements to slip Hill on Lake Kanieri road where tlie road is being widened and the grade improved, Minor slips still occur but the situation is well in hand and with a little further attention it is expected the slipping will be checked entirely. It is proposed later to fence portion of the road on the sideling

A large steam boiler weighing some ten tons lias been removed from the new Mi Her tel) nn lies at Hukawai to Messrs Stratford, Blair aiid Co Vs sawmill at Hukaieie -luring the week by Messrs Fahey Bros., of Kumara. The time occupied in the work was but two days, aud considering that the boiler had to be hauled down from the mine site, a distance of some 3UO feet, and across the Snow/, River at a difficult ford, the performance of Fahey Bros. has been a . very creditable one *

'fire Borough Council is carrying out a very useful work in Rollesfon Street, where a deep drain is being put through to" the swamp land g at the back of the town. The drain which is being put down in permanent material, is destined to reach to tlie line of Tudor Street, and will tap a large area subject to storm water and flooding. This drain which will be open after it crosses the line of Park Street, will account for a considerable , catchment area of back country, and will relieve the ■ other drains of the tOwii, hitherto iii danger of flooding, because of the heavy; drainage to be Carrie.l away following rainfall* • The work, while costly in Itself, is providing employment under the relei’ scheme with funds from the R.S A. subsidised by The Government on a liberal basis.

Our long association with every kind of sport enables us to give our clients valuable advice in the selection from our varied stock. Eivery essential for cricket and tennis at Yarralls sports depot Revell Street. —-Advt.

Patersons have just opened up,, a very big range of ladies morning, and afternoon house frocks, aprons and overall, sizes: S.W. W.O.S. and O.S. in many different styles and ooiouiings including black and white designs. Also a nice assortment of house frock and apron material which is sure to please.

Utility shopping bags! Hand and shopping bag combined. Made of Heavy titian cloth with printed designs. Price 4s 6d. These bags wall stand hard wear and are washable. Confined exclusively to Frank Bade Hokitika.--Advt. .. ;■

Whenever a cold threatens you, get “fs’azol’, the common-sense remedy* Instant relief—a dose a day keeps colds away. 60 doses for Is fid.—Advt

Something new in suit cases just opened at Addisons. ’Phone 89. - Advt.

The game of tennis steadily increases in popularity and there is a growing demand among players for racket strings 'locally. To meet this demand L. S. Ross haß installed a stringing machine which automatically puts even tension, on every string and retains the original shape of the frame, Mr Ross extends a hearty invitation to players to see the machine in operation.—2l.

Summer time comes into force in New Zealand from 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 12th. This means that clocks will be advanced half an hour until March 15th. ndicate.

One bottle of “Nazol” protects the whole family. Benefits everybody from baby to grand-dad. Quickly soothes and eases. Economical double size contains 120 full doses for 2s 6d.—Advt. f Whitebait are now making their appearance throughout the Coast. Paterns have just opened their new stock of whitebait netting, 80in. at Is lid nd 2s 6d yard. Be prepared for an rly run.—Advt. Just arrived new stock of Lysle hose in all shades, at McKays.—Advt>

Worms in children are speedily removed by Wade's Worm Figs. Pleasant to take—absolutely sure in action.—Advt •

The Hokitika Cricket Club will hold its opening practice at the Mental Hospital grounds on October bill, i/lay will commence at 2 o’clock. Ail members and intending members ai-e requested to be present.—Advt.

Overheard in Rovell street yesterday, a conversation by two commercial travellers. Well that is the best restaurant in New Zealand and . that’s saying something, 1 have travelled from one end to the other and I should know. . Y’aro quite right said the second speaker, Holdtika has reason to be proud of a restaurant like “The Rendezvous.’’—Advt.

Quantity material for tiie new bull of 1 Riinu Flat dredge is now coining to hand, and preparations me in hand for the work of assembling the material. For the next three-months all sections of the work in connection with both the hydro-electric works and the reconstruction of the dredge, will be proceeding at high pressure.

Dr R. A. Shore (Director, Division of Hospitals; and Mr C. A. Allen (Technical Adviser) are making their annual visit of inspection to West Coast hospitals They have been at Westport and Recfton, and visitoJ the Grey Hospital yesterday. The Westland Hospital was inspected today'.

The secretary of the Okarito Fivemile Beach Gold Dredging Company Ltd,, reports that .telegraphic advfed ' bus been received- stating, that heavy floods during the latter .end ,of -the. 'week have caused extra water, to enter the paddock from the low-lying surroundings, in consequence of which the wash-up will be delayed a few days.

Another large slip occurred on the Omoto Road yesterday near the Greymouth Borough punlping station, and completely blocked traffic. The Borough Engineer (Mr A. J. FairmajdV estimated that, the best part of a week will be required to clear the. debris, the road being, covered for about" a chain. The adjacent country is ..described as a “greasy, back,’’ and : itsslippery nature was accentuated by the recent heavy rain. . > \

At a meeting of the. Grey Hospital Board last evening, out of .the;;.Bi;styfive applicants, ..it was decided To/jiiPppint as Hospital Manager,./Mr . Aj« thur P. Fraser, of ohristcnurcii, wiy) lias had a lengthy and extenniye experience in such duties -jn the service 'of the Defence . Department. ,r Ml* . • Eraser, who is a native -of Greymouth, and about 43 yeq.rs-.of age, has- been., associated in a similar capacity with the Queen Mary Hospital at Hammer, Cashmere'Hospital, St. Saviour s Hospital at Tiniafu when it whs a military institution; and- also with tim Supplies Headquarters of .the Southern. Military Comnnmd/of.vthe, .. Dominion. He. has also had a- term df service id the 'P* and T. Department lit Greymouth. • . ~

Men 1 We have now the hew goods • in our Men’s Department. The lat- ■ est in Richfield shirts, Parisian ties and fancy sox. Prices right at McKay's.—Advi;.

Addisons are always up-to-date with men’s wear. Luvisca shirts and pyjamas in the latest stripes. The American shirt is also among our summer range. Ties and socks are have lull stocks of, at prices most reasonable.—Advt.