BIG LOAN PROPOSAL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 202, 9 June 1914, Page 1

BIG LOAN PROPOSAL

FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY ROADS. PROPOSAL TO RAISE £40,000. WITH £40,000 SUBSIDY. " PUT THE ROADS IN ORDER.''

At Thursday's meeting of the Franklin County Council the Finance Committe, in the course of its statement, reported as follows: "f'r Campbell proposed that it he a recommendation to the Council, that it is desirable for the Council to borrow money for road work, and that it be a condition that the loan carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £l, each riding (o ba only responsible for interest and sinking fund as represented by the amount borrowed for such riding. The special rate so far as can be neeri will necessarily have to be collected. That a deputation be appointed to wait upon the Prime Minister during his visit to Auckland on or about the 20th inst. to ascertain the likelihood of a general subsidy as against the present numerous small grants." BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

interest out of general revenue and still have enough money left in general revenue to keep the roads in order once ihey were done. Even if they iut on one-eighth of a penny extra it would be a decided advantage if they had good roads, but he did not think that would be required. If it came to the payment of a fraction more he was sure the majority would bT satisfied to do that and to escape from the heavy haulage, the general grumbling, and the wear and tear of harness. He hoped that the scheme would be adopted and a deputation.sent to interview the Fume Minister, fe

O Henry (Mauku) said he was very pleased this matter had been brought before the Council. Shortly after this county came into existence he proposed that some comprehensive scheme be brought in. This district bad the reputation of having the beat land and the worst roads'", in the county. He thought they would have a very good chance* of getting a £ for £ subsidy, if distributed over two or three years. Certainly they could not make the roads out of rates. If they could devise a scheme whereby the roads wculd be put in order, perhaps without increasing the taxation, he was sure it would be approved by the ratepayers. He hoped the Council would get going with the matter as soon as possible. Lr Flanagan (Drury) said he fully approved of what bad been said. They could now adopt the scheme and appoint a deputation to wait upon the Premier. He moved to that effect.

In speaking to the report Cr Campbell (Hunua) said the fundamental idea was to take up a large loan covering Ihe requirements of the whole county, and not as a general loan. That was to say, the loan would be divided according to the requirements of each riding. If a particular riding needed £BOOO or £IO,OOO to put its roads into decently • Rood order then the suggestion was that tnat amount be lifted, and £4OOO or £SOOO be raised for that riding; and so on. For the balance of the money it was proposed to apply to the Government for a Bubsidy of £ for £. That meant that if they took up a loan of £35.000 or £40,000 to road the cuunty from end to end they would have from £70,000 to £BO,OOO to spend. He expected that some might meet the proposal with the statement that tha Government would never give them that amount of money. But laßt year the subsidies Eet down for Franklin County alone practically equalled £20,000. His idea was that if they were to ask for double that amount they would extinguish the claims and calls for a lot of minor grants. The Council would not bu asking the Government for more than half the money the first year, and half the second, as they could not spend £BO,OOO in one year, iiuch a scheme would remove them from the sphere of regular begging every year and the county would be better off than under the present system. He thought the whole scheme was one that was well worthy of very careful consideration, 'lhey would never road thair districts out of rates as long as they had a county; they would merely keep on giving satisfaction to a few and dissatisfaction to many. Under this scheme they could road the county, pay the

Cr Lyons (Mercer) seconded the proposal. He also knew that it was useless to attempt to make new roads out of rates. The only obstacle be saw was that the Government was going to bring down a Local Government Bill which might alter the system of local government entirely. Hut leaving that out the Council should go in for the scheme.

Cr Renall (.Awhltu) said the Council seemed to be unanimous in carrying out this scheme, and as a practical man he could entirely fall in with it. It was a good principle to borrow tha money, but there would in the future be extended lengths of road and extended maintenance. The Council should not run away with the id£a that they could take all the money required for interest out of the present rates. But be did not think the ratepayers would object to pay £1 it they could save £5. The heavy tax at present was the wear and tear of horses and vehicles which passed unnoticed. If they could get £ for £ then the Council could do good work for the people they represented. He was sure that all sensible people would support them. Crs Fulton and Wilcox (Fukekohe) heartily corroborated the remarks of the previous speakers. "I will do anything I can to improve the roads without increasing the liability uf the ratepayers," said Cr Wilcox. "And it will have my hearty support," added Cr Fultou. The chairman (MrC. Motion) said this matter had been before the Finance Committee for some considerable time. Tha su£?estions had been fully considered and if the 'subsidy were promised it would then be for the Council to refer the matter to the ratepayers for their approval. It really rested with the ratepayers to say whether they would have the roads put in better order or whether they would go on in the same old state that haci existed for some considerable time. The resolution was carried unanimously.

Cr Campbell proposed, That the chairman. Crs Henry, Flanagan, Lyons, Campbell and the mover wait upon the Premier in connection with the matter.

Cr Renall said that all the councillors should form thej deputation as every ridiug was interested.

Finally a clause was added "and any other councillor who can lind it convenient to attend," and in this form the motion waß carried.