PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1915 PUKEKOHE'S LOAN SCHEMES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 130, 10 January 1916, Page 2

PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1915 PUKEKOHE'S LOAN SCHEMES.

" We nothing extenuate, nur set down auqht in malice

On Thursday next the ratepayers of Pukekohe will be called on to vote Yea or Nay in respect of the various loans that the Borough Council seek authority to raise, live issues iu all being submitted for approval or rejection. Let it be at once said that the Council's proposals are strictly in accord with absolutely necessary requirements if the progress and development of the borough is to be maintained and consequently sooner or later the soliHiies, or others of a like nature in their place, will assuredly have to be adopted. Minor defects there may be, and probably are, in the schemes as now placed before the electors but it is only fair to mention that the Council are in effect asking the ratepayers to vote for the principle of the loans rather than for fixed and unalterable details of schemes aud to accept the assurance that they (the Council) will with expert advice carry out the undertakings to the best advantage. The Council have every reason to ask to be trusted in that way as being elected as the representatives of the people they were given the confidence of the burgesses and should undoubtedly be capable of spending; the ratepayers' money to secure the best possible resulcs. On the other hand it may be urged, and with some reason, that war time, especially witli uncertainty as to. the extent of the financial burden the Dominion will have to carry, is not opportune for any iucrease to be incurred in local rates. This point is purely and simply the ouly logical ground of objectiou that can justifiably bo taken to the measures as drafted by the Council but against this doctrine must be placed pressiug needs aud the disadvantage, and even absurdity, of the ratepayers favouring a " taihoa" policy that, is utterly inconsistent with the natural and rapid progress of the district. The drainage loan for instance is a case iu poiut. The borough as a whole is only asked to authorise an outlay of £ISOO for the purchase of land aud the construction of a main septic tank that will be available for general uso as drainage extensions become feasible. In the meantime a special drainage area is mapped out and householders iu that area are to be provided for at no greater expense than£j-JUO. Sanitary conditions iu the district affected are at present not only lamentably deficient but are a source of grave danger to the public health. Authority, subject to endorsement by the ratepayer, has already beeu obtained for this particular money to bo lent from one of the Government Departments : consequently it is appar- [ ent that war or no war the Govern-! ment recognises that sanitation of a town must bo provided for. Water, for which a loan of £ii,:!oo i; sought, is similarly of vital important e for any community. Pukekohe's shortcomings and difficulties

in regard to the existing supply are too well known to require repetition in this column but it may he eaid in brief that as water is an essential adjunct of drainage the greater reason exists for perfecting the supply. In regard to the £ooo sought as a Fire Brigade Luau the greater portion of this sum has already beeu spent in improving the Brigade's equipment and having regard to the brilliant and effective work that the firemen have performed on various occasions of late the ratepayers should certainly not be found wanting in recording their appreciation by voting the money. If the loan is rejected it simply means that the General Account finds the wherewithal and the district suffers the loss of £3OO that would otherwise be expended in the ordinary way from revenue that already leaves the Council little or no margin for ordinary upkeep. £40,000 for roadiug purposes may possibly sound a somewhat "tall" order but this is simply the estimate arrived at by the Council for putting the whole of the roads in the borough into ship-shape and modern order, such work to be spread over ten years and the Council giving an undertaking not to raise more than £B,OOO before June, 1017. As has been pointed out by the Mayor, it is far preferable to have a complete scheme adopted than to have loans raised piece-meal with the natural disadvantage of some ratepayers being content with their own improved surroundings and failing to study the claims of others in a less fortunate position. In the foregoing it is not to be taken that we endorse each and every item of the projects as drafted by the Council. We recognise that many details can be improved upon but we give the Council credit for ability and determination to remedy any defects before the schemes roach maturity. This .Monday) evening a public meeting is to bo held in the Oddfellows Hall, at which the various loan projects will be explained in detail on behalf of the Coiiacil and ratepayers would do well to attend and gain full information ou measures that are solely launched for their advantage and well-being.