THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incoroprated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1927. RESPONSIBILITY OF RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5195, 26 October 1927, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incoroprated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1927. RESPONSIBILITY OF RATEPAYERS.

The figures in connection with the poll taken on Thursday last on the proposal to raise a loan of £4500 for the purpose of reconstructing and bitumen-sealing the main streets show that, 281 votes werei cast in favour of the proposal and 34 against it. The number of eligible voters' is approximately 600, and as such a large proportion of those bn the roll deemed it necessary to record their opinion through the ballot-box, this indicates a .condition of satisfaction and approbation which must be: very gratifying to the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) and borough councillors, to >vhom the ratepayers have entrusted the guidance of the borough’s deptiniea The number of votes recorded clearly indicates that the ratepayers do take an intelligent interest in the progress of the borough, and are appreciative of the efforts of the councillors who represent them and give so much of their time/ gratuitously. An old adage says that we are governed, only as we deserve, and if in connection with future proposals ratepayers exhibit the same interest and desire, for cooperation as was shown at Thursday’s poll, the progress, of the borough on sound, progressive lines is assured. Intelligent interest and constructive criticism make for progress in all walks of life;, and are particularly desirable in connection with municipal matters, in which the decisions of today will in years to come affect the progress of Paeroa either favourably or detrimentally. It therefore; behoves ratepayers to at all times see to it that, so far as is humanly possible, the best collective judgment of the; community should be conscientiously devoted to arriving at decisions, the results of which will t.o a greater or less degree react upon generations. The ratepayers are; to be congratulated on the stand they have taken in deciding in favour of better and more permanent, highways being provided at a considerable saving of annual maintenance charges.