CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 30501, 22 June 1926, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) Sir. —Your issue of Saturday last contained noticeable examples of contrast in municipal outlook in the correspondence signed “Thos. V. Hunt” and “R. J. Thompson,” and the refreshing speech delivered by Mr M. B. Berg-in. So much so that I feel constrained to emphasise the comparison. W/hile Mr T. W. Hunt has a perfect right to question (he possibility of a loan for the re-erection of the Town Hall causing an increase in his rates, that is not the line of argument I wish to follow along. I can quite see that Mr Trueman is well able to deal with any points Mr Hunt has raised. The angle from which T wish to approach the controversy is that of the sentiments contained in Mr Bergin’s speech. Mr Hunt is apparently obsessed only with the one point of view—will the reerection of the Town Hall cause him to pay a wew shillings more per annum in rates? I believe not; but to pass on: Mr Hunt’s correspondence has been pitched on a key note of pessimism so far as our

community is concerned; we evidently aie so poor a community (according to Mr. Hunt) that we cannot afford the restitution of a necessity like a Town Hall. Mark you, 1 say a necessity. That is the spirit which has so many times caused Koxlnn to postpone her just municipal responsibilities, and i am sorry to see a man of so recent lesidenee as Mr Hunt endeavouring

to perpetuate that narrow municipal outlook. Such public myopia in Ihe past is costing foxtail denrl y—pi evented us from securing Mich- community benefits as water and drainage during the pre-war period of cheaper wages and material; and i.- causing- us to pay dearly for a second-hand gasworks: will ultimately compel us, of Mr. Han! lias his way at pres.nt, to pay a much higher price foi a Town Hall, when the people liiid —as they would —that a Town 1 fall is afi absolute necessity in the town; pay dearly because, as even Mr. Hunt would admit, each succeeding period of about three years duration sees an advance both in the price of materials and labour, and perhaps the price of money. On ihe other hand we read that MV. !». .1. Thompson, a ratepayer who with some just ideation, could utgue his right of being excluded fiom our rating area, is a strong supporter of the loan proposal, even though bis rates at present amount to over half a hundred pounds, and lie does not enjoy the advantages for which he pays. Here, tlien, is an example of the right community spirit.

la Mr Berg-in's speech will he found an inspiration even for Mr. Hunt. -Just to select one little sentence therefrom: “Now that motor transport has established itself, and will most assuredly continue to grow, Buxton, being- on the main

highway, is again on lhe map, and its advantages, as well as its exist cnee, will 'he forced upon the minds of the travelling public, to whom, in the past, it has been merely a name.” That is the right keynote from which to pitch our outlook. Foxton, a solid little community on the main highway between two great centres, is bound to demand more and more attention as time and facilities advance —that is, if: Foxton maintains a worthiness in the eyes of the travelling public. I’ut we must keep abreast .of the times. We are paying for our mistakes of the past, but don’t let us perpetuate those errors. For our social welfare, for our recreation, for our general welfare, for the upholding of our municipal self-respect, let us re-build that which has been found a necessity in our community—and let us do it handsomely! Thanking you, Sir, for your valuable space, I am etc., INTKONP HOT. Sir,—-I am pleased you have at last printed the Foxton Town Ilall balance-sheet, for the four years working, in your issue of the 10th inst., showing £370 net profit. I note there expenses paid out are not likely to occur again, amounting to about £OOO. This brings the earnings of the ball to £O7O, a trifle over £4 10/- per week. Note, t here is no management account being charged 4 ' to above. Had these facts been put in front of ns when asked for, my one letter would have been the first and last. The printed memorandum sen! round is most misleading—simply camouflage. Just fancy putting it in front of a few hard-beaded businessmen to float a company —it would gel short shrift. The ratepayers may now vote for the Town Hall, knowing dial they are not being misled. —Thanking you, sir, Yours etc. TITOS. W. HUNT. Sir, —Mr. Hunt’s loiter in Saturday’s issue obvionsly clashed with your -article on the tinancial aspect of the Town Ilall, for in that article, side by side with his letter, was the information he asked for properly presented showing I lie disposal of the profits during the past four years. The string of figures he quotes, amply demonstrates how the business has progrosed by leaps and bounds. His remark about a loan of £l3O for drainage, following bis expressed desire to be lair, deserves a word. The Council financed the drainage into both theatres. The Town Hall loan was repaid in full with interest the following

year. He does not mention this fact.

It has, I think, been previously pointed out that the oiily Trading Account in the borough now is the gasworks. The “tag” he mentions refers to that account, and is merely a technical matter relating to'the investment of the amount written off the gasworks as depreciation, in face of the fact that the loan capital liability is reduced by annual sinking fund instalments. 1 take this opportunity, therefore, of emphatically denying that there ever has been a “tag” to the Town Hall Account, in any shape or form. Undoubtedly the £742 profit shown in 1920 does not make good reading to some people, but it is entirely due to the splendid support accorded to the Town Hall by the citizens, over 39,450 admission tickets being sold during the year. This tigiire alone cannot fail to engender a feeling of confidence in the new hall, a confidence which the Council trusts will be amply demonstrated at to-morrow’s poll. I take this opportunity, Sir, of thanking you for the use of your columns in permitting this discussion. Yours etc., Wm. TRUEMAN.