THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1927. TO-MORROW’S LOAN POLL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5193, 19 October 1927, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1927. TO-MORROW’S LOAN POLL.

We have received from the Paeroa Borough Council, through the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) a circular, copies of which have no doubt, been forwarded to every ratepayer in the town. The, circular setsi forth clearly and decisively the great need there is fcr ratepayers to record their votes in favour of the raising of a loan of £4500 for the reconstruction of main stress in the borough at thei poll which is to be taken to-morrow. Special reference is made to tihe problem of providing and maintaining streets of a reasonable standard at the lowest possible cost. Conditions have changed, and methods must keep in step or- the ultimate lossi must be considerable. In this, connection certain facts have been established as sound practice and wisei economy. The poll to be taken to-morrow is to decide for or against the proposal to borrow the sum of £4500 to be expended in bitumen-sealing the two main highways through the borough from boundary to boundary, and lower Hill Street and Moore Road, near the railway station. Considerable reconstruction work of an expensive nature has already been carried out on these streets. Experience has shown that the only practicable way to preserve our streets and reduce the annual cost of maintenance is by bitumen sealing. This can only be done by the assistance of the ratepayers in authorising the loan to-morrow. A serious point for ratepayers to remember is that unless tlhe; loan is authorised the valuable reconstruction work already done will, rapidly deteriorate and the money expended be wasted, and ratepayers will still have to face heavy annual maintenance charges; and not have satisfactory roads. We contend that it would be illogical and bad business for rate-J payers to turn down the proposal. It has, been stated definitely that, the loan, if authorised, will not, increase the, rates. This statement can be relied upon, as the condtions are cimi--lar to those in connection with the loan for the erection of new municipal. chambers ,for which no rate has bqen collected. In commending the proposal to ba decided to-morrow we would emphatically point out that it is a thoroughly sound proposition for every ratepayer, because it will unquestionably relieve, and not burden, and at the same tirnq provide a sum of £495 a year for investment in a sinking fund, which will be a. clear saving because the streets, will sftill exist when they are paid for at the expiration of the fifteen years’ loan term. Ratepayers will do well to face the facts and vote for the proposal to-morrow.