AS OTHERS SEE US.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1016, 2 April 1883, Page 3

AS OTHERS SEE US.

(Wairarapa Star, March 26.) The borrowing policy inaugurated by the Patea Borough Council about a year ago docs not appear to have brought about the municipal millenium that was anticipated in that particular part of this tax-afflicted paradise. Neither can it be said to have brought about a state of general prosperity. Patea has been as dull as ditch-water, and property has been selling at less than half-cost. The £IO,OOO loan that was sanctioned by the ratepayers, after several desperate efforts on dhe of .their representatives, has not been raised, but for this the borrowers canpotibocblained.AjGpuncilldrs have done? iheir? best? to float it, but it has proved a millstone round the municipal neck. Worse still, like the old housewife, they counted their chickens before they were hatched, created a large staff, and entered. into the business of street, channel, and footpath making, and drainage works, oh a large scale. For some time past they have been under the pressure of their bahkefs,- enjoying? of financial difficulties ; but luckily, Major Atkinson, being appealed to, has come to their relief. From a letter read at the last meeting of ther.Council it would seem, that .the Colonial Treasurer has raised £SOOO for 'two? years fJ at ! 6 ; per cent., on the security of £IO,OOO worth of Borough debentures. On the 'principle, we presume, that half a loaf is better than no bread, the Council has gladly accepted this accommodation. Singularly chough, £SOOO, has - not brought peace to the municipal nest. The Council is anything but a happy family. The members live or rather squabble, in an atmosphere of recrimination.- Hard times have soured their tempers. Their engineer— appointed but twelve months ago—is under notice, and he naturally objects to forsake the municipal carcase on the ground that there was’ 'ah implied understanding that he was to see the loan out, and that at least three years’ squandering would be necessary. Trouble has lately arisen over -drain pipes, which the Engineer ordered, but the Council did not authoricej- although the Mayor had some knowledge of the transaction. At their recent meeting the unauthorised' tiles were thrown in : the face of His Worship, who retaliated by throwing £l2 of linoleum, with which the Council Chamber is covered, in the face of his accuser. Altogether, the ways of the much - indebted Patea Borough Council are not the ways of pleasantness, nor are its paths peace.