Open the Door.

Manawatu Herald, 13 February 1894, Page 2

Open the Door.

We congratulate the Mayor and Councillors on the very sensible action taken by them yesterday in, if not actually opening the door to the town, at anyrate removing -many of the obstacles in the way of travellers. The Councillors were all in favour of a reduction being made in the scale of tolls now chargeable at the Wirokino ferry ; but, wisely, before doing anything rash, wish to test what difference in the receipts will, in the opinion of tenderers, be occasioned by the adoption of a lower rate. To all business people it would be an immense advantage if there was no toll chargeable to visitors to the town, but this, at present, is not attainable, and therefore the next best thing is to know that the least possible amount will be collected for services rendered. The maintenance of a ferry is expensive, and tolls must be levied which will find money to cover these ex- 1 penses and also to provide a sinking i fund for buildbg a new punt, but beyond these sums no more is needed for the ferry and this excess, the •

ha an co of rents received go to the Local Bodies fund to be spent here, there, and everywhere. We cannot a (lord to hedge onr town round with walls, like Paris, and demand toll?, similar to the Octroi duties on ali those who desire to visit us, as. first of all it is not fair, secondly our town is not big enough to permit us to do what is unfair ; it is therefore better that the tolls on all ferries should be reduced to charges sufficient to pay working expenses, and not with a view of making money out of them. The Borough Council in having taken this step is to be warmly congratulated by residents and travellers, and we hope will be duly imitated by all concerned.