Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, NOV. 26, 1895. Something to Consider.

Manawatu Herald, 26 November 1895, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, NOV. 26, 1895. Something to Consider.

This unusual wet weather has shown up, in a most unpleasant manner, the many weak spots in bur local roads. We sympathise with the Borough authorities who had imagined that their troubles were for a time at an end, and the grumbling ratepayer would be at rest, for the summer months. Now, owing to the wet, and the unfor* tunate system, if there is such a thing, of road supervision, the roads are in a fearful state and those answerable seem to have folded their hands and intend to let things slide. We seldom bring up this question ct road maintenance as we have had personal experience of the many difficulties arising in attempting to carry out such work without a sufficiency of monty. We all WMlt

roads and we do not want more taxation, and the solution to this problem is what we would all like to learn. We have frequently pointed out that we shall have no great comfort in our " ways " until they have been put in better order than they are now, and with simply the rates, there is not money enough. We have held, and still hold that all that is desired can be obtained by a loan, and the interest on that loan will be easily payable out of current revenue. This can be pointed out most satisfactorily when the estimated expenditure and income, prepared by the Borough Council, is studied. What is needed is for the Borough Council to make up its mind as to whether a loan is advisable and whether the income will stand the strain for the interest. Should they arrive at the conclusion that a loan is needed then they should consider the amount and where such expenditure should be laid out. Having thus drawn up an attractive programme and prepared a plain statement of the financial position, the question must be left to the Burgesses to decide. The Council has already declared for a loan but the steps necessary to place the ratepayers in possession of the advantages of taking such action and how unlikely that they would be called upon to pay any increased rate, was never taken, and time has been allowed to slip bye, just because the successful carrying of a loan means the necessity for a little more energy being shown in Borough affairs.