Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1896. The Manawatu County.

Manawatu Herald, 13 June 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1896. The Manawatu County.

♦ We are- glad to see the chairman of the Manawatu County, Council waking up and proposing a good sized loan to further open up the roads in the County. To all who have had the conduct of local bodies it becomes apparent that but little good can be done by rates alone, and sooner or later a loan has to be faced. For many years the county has struggled along to make roads without money, or at anyrate without sufficient money, and a vory great deal of credit is due to the chairman clerk and officers for what has been accomplished with the funds at their command. It is of the first necessity that the main road from Foxton to Sanson should -be metalled throughout and without further loss of time, besides which there are many other roads needing a great deal being done to them. From the proceedings of the last meeting of the Counoil it will have been seen that the chairman has given notice of motion to move that a loan of £6000 be raised. The only objection we can see to the loan is that it is not big enough, but it is as much as the law allows to be raised, at one operation, i We shall be much surprised if there is any strong objection to the loan, if the sum is fairly allotted and the scheme thoroughly explained. At present the County iti not paying the full rate allowed by law and it is not likely any increase will be made, yet it is understood the sum necessary to find the inter est on the loan can be paid out of revenue. Of course a rate will have to be struck but the Act contains special provisions that it need not be coileoted. The income from a general rate of one half-penny in the pound is about £1200 so that a rate to secure £800 whioh would be the interest on £6000 at five per cent, would be one-eighth of a penny. Even if the rata was coileoted it would not be burdensome but when the chairman unfolds his scheme hti will be able to make it clear this oan easily be avoided. We only wish other institutions oould grasp this position in the same manner.