BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5119, 29 April 1927, Page 4

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

RESUME BY MAYOR. PROGRESS DURING TWO YEARS. At the. last meeting of the outgoing members of the Paeroa Borough Council the following resume of the work of the council was read by His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) ; “This is the last meeting of the present council, and it has been customary for the Mayor to place before the council a resume of the council’s activities during its term of office, “in presenting a similar statement in 1925 I pointed out how difficult it was month by month for the council or the. public to keep steadfastly in view a definite purpose or plan. The resources are so limited, the voices of needs and desi,res so clamant, and the insistence of divergent interests so pressing that any definite movement is largely obscured. “We are even yet so close to the period that it is difficult for us to judge of the work done. A few years hence others wiltjudge our work, and in that day they will not remember chiefly that we built new streets or municipal chambers or carried, out any of the various, works 1 shall here mention. They will consider fundamentals only ; they will either rejoice that we made pur to.wn the greater, and did our best to stamp out avarice and self-seeking and to improve the general physical conditions along sound lines with a willingness to make the needful sacrifices, or they will condemn us for lack of vision and a refusal to pay the price of the things we enjoy. For we legislate, work, and build for the future, as well as the present, and the unborn child has a claim upon our consideration equal at least to that of a duly qualified elector. In my opini.on, therefore, it becomes pur duty to-night to thoughtfully review the, work done in the interests of the community, that those whom we represent with us may be able if possible to judge whether it be good or bad. “A perusal of the balance-sheet shows that on March 31 there was a total credit in the various accounts, not including loan accounts, of £3177 14s Bd, against which there were small debits in three accounts totalling in all £l3 19s 9d, with outstanding collectable rates amounting to £2925 13s. It can, therefore, be said that the sound financial position of the borough accounts has been fully maintained. A careful comparison of the expenditure and estimates also shows a satisfactory position. Each year careful separate, estimates have been made of receipts and expenditure in each account, and in every case they have worked out accurately, with the exception that arrears have gradually increased. “The many works undertaken under loan authorisation and general maintenance have always been subject to estimates, and they have, proved reliable. This year's expenditure on public works was £75 under the estimates. The expenditure in the water improvements loan account was within shillings of the estimates, in the domain improvements loan there is a credit of £3 14s Id, and in the council chambers loan a credit of £43 10s Bd. There has duri.ng the past term been a small increase in the cost of administration, but this was only to be expected, in view of the increasing activities of the corporation.

“The loan accounts have been carefully husbanded, and we have contrived to avoid’ balances laying i.dle during construction works. Of the loan authorisation that existed when we took office £3OOO has been raised for sewerage works and expended, with the exception of a bank balance of approximately £3OO. The sum of £4558 has been expended on street improvements and £2ooo' raised and expended on extension and improvements to water mains, while £998 3s 4d has been advanced to ratepayers to finance connections with the sewer.

"During the term of the present council there has also been carried out the major portion of the work done out of the domain improvements loan, and a proposal to borrow the sum of £2OOO for the purpose of erecting municipal chambers was placed before the ratepayers and carried by a large majority. “There has also been consummated a proposal to create a specialrrating area for the purpose of completing the permanent laying of Normanby Road.

“The general rate was reduced from 33/ 4 d to 2%d, but for the two years the expenditure on public works has been £4761 Ils, being an increase of £505 8s 6d on the amount expended under this heading for the previous two years. Out of this £548 12s was paid for balance owing on purchase of tiie steam roller, and £250 towards the cost of enlarging and improving storm-water drainage, and two additional horses and gear have been acquired. Wc have also purchased out of revenue a good section of land at the rear of the borough offices, and obtained by way of exchange a valuable area of land in Rawhitiroa Block as a reserve, and arrangements are now in hand to add to this area so as to create for posterity an additional recreation reserve in a convenient position. “ Additions to the fire fighting plant of a permanent nature have also been secured, and on public works some other improvements of a permanent nature have been undertaken out of annual income, such as new concrete culvert in Thames road, reconstruction of Arney Street from Domain gates to top of the hill, bitumen sealing of racecourse hill and portion of Puke Road, the metalling of Quarry Road, and the resurfacing of portion of Belmont Road in bitumen.

“The buildings in the domain have been completely renovated, and we have on hand more than the usual supply of material for street and footpath maintenance, while the main drains generally are in a better condition than ever before in the history of the borough.

“The acquisition of the lease of the Ngahina wharf with its attendant low wharfage charges and its margin of profit has proved of much benefit to the town and district.

“We may therefore again safely assert that some progress has been made along safe lines, and that the position of the borough corporation is steadily improving.

“Out of loan moneys we. have, with the help from the Railway Department in certain streets, formed and metalled Aorangi, Road, Ainslie Road, Raroa Road, Dearie Street, George Street, part of Flora Street, part of Willoughby Street, part of Norwood Road, part of Moore Road, lower Hill Street, and King Street extension to Corbett Street; also part of Normanby Road and round the post office to as far as Queen Street. Kejbing and channelling has also been carried out in Normanby' Road, Princes Street, Belmont Road, and Moore Road. Taylor’s Avenue and a large portion of Moore Road have been completely constructed by the Railway Department, who have also reconstructed a portion of Railway Street. “A complete report of all reserves held by the borough has been prepared and recorded, giving references as to titles, areas, and names, together with a preliminary programme for their use or improvement.

“I think it can be justly said that on the whole the maintenance done preserves and maintains facilities previously provided; that some permanent assets have been secured out of current revenue, and that loan money has been wisely expended. And in addition to this wc have paid into sinking funds the sum of, £768 6s 8d towards the liquidation of the public debt and met the interest falling duo on all loans.

“Other matters which indicate progress are the erection of the new post office and the arrangements for a new traffic bridge and the general activity in building. “This summary has been hurriedly compiled, and is incomplete, but I think it indicates that definite progress has been made and that we should be encouraged by the results obtained. The borough is, however, in its infancy, and there is much urgent work required. We have, also to bear in mind the fact that the increasing amount of arrears of rates indicates that ratepayers are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the rate demands and we shall need to seriously consider the effect of any possible- increase.

“There is still a pressing need for unselfish service for our borough if we would safeguard the. future. Such service is worth while, and as we. shall be called upon to continue to administer the affairs of the corporation for another term I venture to express the. sincere hgpe that we may make substantial progress during the next two years, and in a spirit of sincere co-operation seek that true success which is founded on service and honour alone, promoting always and cultivating the thrills of common joys in the. pride of common possessions.”