King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14, 1912 TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 491, 14 August 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14, 1912 TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

The decision of the Te Kuiti Borough Council to appoint an engineer, and obtain his report on the requirements of the Borough, assures the burgesses that a complete scheme in connection with the loan proposals will be placed before the public at an early date. That 3uch a course is desirable must be apparent to all

who have given the matter consideration. Of the original loan there remains an unexpended balance of about £2OOO, which was originally allocated for street works. It requires no argument to realise that this amount is altogether inadequate to cope with the street work which must be accomplished during the coming summer in order to transform the streets of the town from a series of quagmires into even passable thor- | oughfares. In addition, there are deficiencies in connection with the various works embraced in the original scheme of improvements which must be faced. The amount considered necessary for the completion and extension of the various works has been estimated by the Council at about £12,000. Considerable discussion ensued at last meeting of the Council as to th" advisability of appointing an engineer before the opinion of the public had been taken on the loan proposal. The decision to appoint the engineer,and obtain his report and estimates in connection with the loan proposals must commend itself to those who have devoted any thought to the matter. The money is required to complete works which are absolute-

)y essential to the progress of the town. The iJea that the ratepayers will refuses to sanction a loan for tho completion of works, which must bo carried out before any material bonefit in derived from the money already expended, cannot bo nnriously entertained. That a proposalkmnchod by the Council without tho hall mark of an expert engineer's report and estimate might be open to serious adverse criticism is obvious, and in avoiding such a possibility the Council has shown wisdom. It is to be hoped no time will bo lost, in promoting a sound scheme, in order that the work bo necefisary to the progress of the town may be accomj)lishcd during the coming summer. Tho experience of tho winter has shown in convincing manner tho necessity for prompt and vigorous action, and wo have every confidence that thu ratepayers will heartily endorse any sound and well considered scheme for improving the existing state of things in the .Borough.