MATAMATA COUNTY.

Putaruru Press, Volume III, Issue 96, 27 August 1925, Page 4

MATAMATA COUNTY.

EMPOWERING BILL PASSED. i Through All Its stages. 'Ratepayers and residents of the county of Matamata will be glad to learn that at last there are no legal m obstacles to the Matamata. county loan scheme, of £201,000, being carried into effect. • The following wire was received from Wellington last Thursday afternoon, from Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P. for Rotorua:— “ Matamata County Council Empowering Bill passed through all its stages in the House this afternoon. This is the first local Bill to pass the House this session.” It is understood that offers of loan money have already been made to the council from certain sources, and it therefore appears probable that the loading scheme will be proceeded with as soon as the weather permits. The member for Rotorua, Mr. F. F. Hockly, who was in charge of the Bill (passed as a matter of urgency), stated that the county council wished ' the Bill passed as soon as possible, because the road works provided for under the loan had been held up for a year, and the council wanted to take advantage of the approaching season. The council had obtained authority to borrow £201,000, of which £41,000 was to be used for paying off a number of special area loans. It was found, however, that the latter bore interest at 45 per cent, whereas 6 per cent* was the rate of the new loan. The council therefore sought authority to devote part of the new special loan to the payment of interest and sinking fund on the existing loans', thus continuing them, a charge on the whole county, and to reduce the amount of the new loan accordingly. There was no opposition on the ratepayers’ part to this-course, it had been intended l to deal with the matter by a clause in last year’s ‘‘Washing--up ” Bill. The second reading was. carried. When the committee stage was reached, the member for Waikato, Mr. F. took charge of the Bill, Mr. Hoctfyt'sgi|p :$n the cnair as ActhttgThe member for Riecarton, Mr. G.: ’ Witty, by way of a joke, asked' ; Mrl Lye to explain the pro'-mions of the Bill, but the member proved' to have a thorough knowledge -of it, and gave * quite a lucid explanation. He was ap- ■ plauded as he went back to his seat.