THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. WEDNESDAY JULY 28, 1915. AN INCREASED RATE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 62, 28 July 1915, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.

WEDNESDAY JULY 28, 1915. AN INCREASED RATE.

" We nothing extenuate, nor ft down auoht in malice,."

The increase of Pukekohe'e General Rate from Id to 1 Ad in the £, as projected by the Borough Council is, perhaps naturally, viewed with disfavour by many ratepayers, who refuse to be solaced by the Mayor's statement at the last Council meeting that the increase is more apparent than real by reason of the fact that a reduction is to be made In the Special Rates will, in effect, only bring about a rate of one-eighth of a penny in excess of the amount paid lust year. In our correspondence columns in this issue Mr C. K. Lawrie, the ex-Mayor, reviews the financial position Bnd contends that instead of a higher rate being levied the credit balance brought forward at the close of .last financial year, viz., March 31st, should have been attended with the levying of a rate of not more than £d in the X, as wbs his intention' should he have been re-elected as Mayor. The Council's estimates of expenditure that have been responsible for the proposal to inflict on the ratepayers a larger call than last year include a sum of £2IOO for roading purposes as compared with £llOO allocated twelve months since. The Council, however, in addition, intend to ask the ratepayers for sanction to raise £331)5 on loan for further road works. True it is that fukekohe roads sadly want repair and better maintenance, but in view of the war and the calls for support to the various patriotic funds, not to speak of the inconvenence of a necessary war tax, it would only have been a wise policy to have practised economy and to have been content to allow existing disabilities to continue pending the arrival of days when finance will be easier. Further, if the ratepayers ars to be consulted in regard to part of the suggested road expenditure the better course to pursue would have been to have drafted a comprehensive scheme, instead of piecemeal 'proposals, and to have left it to the ratepayers to decide whether the time was opportune for such to be carried through.

It should bave beea obvious to the Council tbat any loan, whiihsr tor reading or drainage, that toe ratepayers would be askid lo sanction would be more Bb3ur»:d ot succtßs if current lates were lessened instead of being raised. Under 3ucb circumitances we Hgree witb Mr Lawrie that the Council should pause before tbey decide to augment the ratepayers' existing liabilities.