The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY MARCH 4, 1933. MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY MARCH 4, 1933. MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

The civic ejections are fixed to take place iu May next, but so iar there is very little stir, even in tile major towns regarding contests. Interest on the Coast is in keening with the' general aipaUiy, and Hoidtika is not. any exception ;bo the prevailing lack of public interest. This however, is not in keeping with true citizenship, for each snould be prepared to' take a practical interest in local affair's which are the concern of all. There is a saying- that the appearance of a town is tn© symbol of its citizenship! j We are sure that there cannot be j general satisfaction with the appearj ance of the town, and that there i must be a degree of civic pride which would wish to see 'the town more sightly than it is. Municipal matters are governed by finance, and there are times when there is a limit to that tsefuil commodity. Numbers of local bodies have to be mindful of spending and may not go beyond the local income. Ais far as local conditions go, it would appear finance is very restricted. The Council very rightly is not disposed to increase rates unduly. Rates constitute .the chief income, and there is the onus oil tile ratepayers to moot their obligations in that respect before ' blaming the Council for any shortcomings. No doubt if rates were to be paid promptly there would we all round economy, for the local body which would save overdraft interest, and could perform works as they arose, without deferring expenditure unduly. The share of the ratepayers in the management and their obligations to that management, is therefore considerable, and that, duty should be discharged with tne object of assisting the local body in its work. The Council lias bad the benefit of unemployment expenditure and a good deal of useful work has been carried out which otherwise could not have been done. No doubt if the available labour were fully organised larger works could be carried out, the Coucil 'supplying material. This applies to the water-works in respect to which there is the need for a large amount of renewals to ensure the permanency of the works. The labour can be utilised, too, a.? i,s now being, done to- -some- extent, in improving the appearance of streets, but more could bo. done under more effective organisation, including more tar sealing which if? also economical in the long run. The Council has been labmi ring under a substantial overdraft for some time, but it is usual to have it reduced; for the balance. The new year begins in April, and with the elections in May it should he possible

for the new Council to start its work with a fairly clean sheet. The elections are not confined only to civic affairs. EPosri'tal and harbour interests are affected also. The former calls for considerable expenditure on the part of the civic authority, hut as long as hospital administration is reasonable and as economical of Etc, the oo=t must- b« met as cheerfully as possible recognising that the expenditure gives necessary .serial service. With regard to the hnrbcur interests, thev have a. more pioneering outlook at. present, and +h» town can en;o iT benefits from the shipping" trade n's the port is improve 1 to of a laro-er •Mini I ’'*;- exr°rt. As it is, ve may he sure the sitting members are, exerri' ing their to F-e host advantage jwl Im-e done goo-' 1 work •>«? far a® funds Hlom Tf it f~. ,-r.nn-nm f-« newly elected bodies should do better.