THE BOROUGH OF KUMARA.

Kumara Times, Issue 1644, 5 January 1882, Page 2

THE BOROUGH OF KUMARA.

[to the editor.] Sir—ln your issue of the 4th I notice you give publicity to a rumor re merging the Borough with the County Council. I imagine the rumor must have emanated from a few public-house keepers who.-e motto is "Perish the Commonwealth, if we can save a few pounds from the wreck ; " or, in other words, if the Borough is abolished we Shall have less to pay for oar licenses, B,iy £ls a year. That may be a considerable item—sufficient for them to sacrifice their principles to their interest; but do they consider that others have something to say in the matter? If publicans cannot afford to pay the .£4O for a license within the borough, it will be better for themselves and the town if they closed their establishments, instead of depreciating the value of our local body, whose efficiency in the conducting of municipal matters cannot be denied, as, for example, Kumara and Dillmans—one under local control, the other under the Arahura Road Board and the County Council—and what do we find 1 In the one place a well-laid* out township, well-formed and lighted streets and footpaths ; and in the other, irregular roads and a total absence of anything conducive to the comfort and safety of the pedestrian. It may also be as well for the ratepayers to thoroughly understand the position, and not heedlessly part with a position we have reason to congratulate ourselves upon. As you observe, we require a water-supply. That being obtained, and I hope to see it during this year, we shall not require to tax ourselves Is in the pound for borough requirements. Let us merge with the County, and I am afraid that when the gold duty and miners rights are re- j duced, it will be necessary to tax householders up to 2s in the pound, if not more. I would agaiu request ratepayers to be cautious, and not sign auy petition or memorial praying for the abolition of the Borough of Kumara.—-I am, <fcc., Cms.