WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 810, 5 March 1910, Page 2

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

[To the editor.]

Sir, —Noticing a few locals appearing in your paper in reference to the drainage and water supply, I feel that the subject would not be sufficiently ventilated without another mind than that at present supplying you with news. Having, with your permission, a say, I should like to reply to the local of Thursday last, in reference to the two ratepayers who were discussing the loan proposals. One was a small ratepayer, and supported the loan; the other possessed a fair quantity of Foxton soil, and did not want the loan. I might say that I myself approve of the water and drainage scheme, and consider it suitable for the borough. The only question left for consideration is that of finance, or, in other words, would the benefit derived be sufficient to recompense for the annual burden that will be put upon the ratepayers. The general rate collected at present in Foxton is approximately £sso. The interest and sinking fund for the loan will be Now, deduct from this the present sanitary rate, leaves which must be raised. Any person will see at a glance that the rates must be doubled and another }id besides, and we must not forget that the present scheme does not extend to the whole of the Borough by a long way. Then on to the above has to be added the cost ol installing the drainage, or to each house, and that of water about —say /20 for each house on an average throughout the borough. Then we come to the water rate, which is expected to produce about this has also to come but of the pockets of the ratepayers. Then again, we have the working expenses of the scheme, which the engineer puts down at This sum, I am convinced, is too low, as the engineer will want at least ,£2OO per year, and it will take ,£2OO a year to buy oil, fuel, repairs, etc- (a low estimate). But it shows that a further must be taken out of the rate payers’pockets. Now, Mr Editor, I have no intention to advise anyone how to vote, because I believe every ratepayer has sufficient knowledge of finance to judge for himself. Further, Levin is held up as an example, to Foxton ; but are Foxton and Levin on an equal footing. For instance, Levin has rents derived from land within the borough which is sufficient pay interest not only on the whole^

of their water loan, but on ,£50,000. Where are Foxton’s endowments ? We have none. Now, Mr Editor, before leaving you, I have a word to say to that small ratepayer, if he can be found, and is an industrious man, and is likely to carry a bargain to a successful completion, I will offer him land in the centre of Foxton at Government valuation, plus 15 per cent. If this small ratepayer can borrow plenty of money as he says, let him come along. Thanking you in anticipation of having the above inserted in your valuable paper,—l am, etc., Borough Councillor.