THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1924. THE PLAINS MACHINERY LOAN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4680, 28 March 1924, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1924. THE PLAINS MACHINERY LOAN.

To-morrow, Saturday, March 29, the ratepayers of the Hauraki Plains will vole on the proposal submitted by the Hauraki Plains County Council to borrow £25,000. The loan is required for the acquisition of machin-' ery, plant, and equipment for obtaining road-making material, for the transport of the material, and for the construction of roads. That the council is a progressive body, and that its policy is a, sound one, must be readily admitted.' With adequate machinery and equipment the construction of roads would be expedited, and such construction would be carried out by the council at a minimum cost to the ratepayers. In the event of the ratepavers .sanctioning the loan the first cost will be the last cost, inasmuch as the .vork will be undertaken more cheaply and more expeditiously than at present. The acquisition of the machinery would be an asset to tb< whole of the county, and there would be the advantage of its availability for work at all times. The wail for better roads is never-ceasing ; but do those who wail ever stop to consider how they can help indi--virtually to improve the ingress anrt egress to their county ? Adequate machinery for the construction of roads is as essential as air is to life, and ratepayers would do well to accord full support to the loan to-mor-row. and by so doing confidence in

the council will be shown. This step,, is essentially a progressive one that should appeal to everyone having the betterment of the district at heart. The problem of roads suitable for carrying traffic in the future is a difficult one, and the council is to be commended mi grappling with the situation in the face of exceptional difficulties peculiar to the county. The isolation of the roads to be constructed, the scarcity of metal, and tlie difficulty of transport are only a few of the. obstacles that have to be faced. To ensure regular and adequate supplies of metal for the future the council intends to equip two quarries, one at Hikutaia and one at Maukoro, arid when the punts for the conveyance of metal up the Waihou and Pinko rivers are available the council will be in a position to forge ahead wi»h its road construction work. Such work, however, can only be undertaken with the sanction and support of the ratepayers. The wonderful fertility and productivity of the Hauraki Plains cannot, as yet, be estimated, and it is by’ good roads that closer settlement— necessary to pros-perity-can be brought about. The terms of the loan are exceptional when it Is considered that the secure tty rate includes a tenth per cent, margin for security to the lender over and above the amount required for interest and sinking fund. The council officials have made a thorough tour of the ridings in the special raxing area, and no stone has been left unturned to acquaint ratepayers of the full provisions of the loan, and the council’s policy generally. T n view of the great importance to the future progress and development of the Hauraki Plains it Is confidently expected that ratepayers will turn out in force to-morrow and record their votes in favour of the loan. Tf they fail to do this, and the poll s turned down, the progress of the Plains and district will be retarded uu«il such time a.s a similar proposal is authorised.