Pukekohe's Loan Scheme.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 200, 15 August 1916, Page 3

Pukekohe's Loan Scheme.

I to the editor:;

Sir, —lf the Mayor had confined his remarks to a published acknowledgment that hia circuit "had not been submitted to the Council," thereby admitting the accuracy of my statement, he would have given Councillors a ray of hope that he was at least honestly striving to bring into being a moiety ot the tact and business acurr en they have been long trying to inculcate in him. But, alas for the hopes of tha optimistic section of the Council, he has again been unable to restrain the publication to the world ot his crude and almost childish lack of up-to-date business knowledge and method. It was to obviate erroneous impressions that my previous letter was adoreseed to the ratepayers (and certainly not as the Mayor construed it, viz., that some Councillors have changed their minds), for the circular not only contained inaccurate statements but was tactless in the extreme in "gibing" at reskteotn for taking trouble to gain knonlede that would enable them to cast their votes intelligently. Surely, if the Council's proposals will not bear the most strict enquiry then ratepayers should not be asked to vote for them. So far as the electric lighting and roading proposals of the Council are concerned, the ratepayers can rest assured tbey are absolutely sound money-saving propositions; bat fort the Mayor to assert that the u.e of the engine now installed in the power house for generating electricity solely depends upon carrying the waterworks loan is absolutely inaccurate. Taking the Mayor's figures the engine is now working nine hours in every twenty-four, whereas there is nothing impracticable in working it tha full twenty-four hours. Therefore, under existing conditions it would be quite within reason to devote fifteen hours" per day tor generating electricity. But as a storage batterv is to be installed not more than nine hours running will te lecessary for that purpose, still leaving six hours in each twentv-tour tor tha engine to obtain, 2ccording to the Mayor's crude knowledge of enginrs. its much needed repose. Lucky, swaddlmgclothed, be-lavendered little engine! What a gloriously lazy time it has compared with its fellovs in the large cotton factories of Lancashire, or the stupendous woollen-mills of Yorkshire, where a weekly Sunday rest is begrudged them; and what a silver-trumpet-golden-harped time it has compared to its maratime sisters on the direct lioers trading between the Dominion and English ports—a continuous run of six weeks, covering a distance of 16,000 miles without even a chance of a siesta.

No, Sir, ratepayers need have no qualms of conscience about the powsr of their engine to do the necessary work it may be called upon to perform in generating electricity. It is one of the best of its class made by a reliable firm, and all credit is due to the old Town Board members tor securing so excellent a machine for th* ratepayers.

In conclusion, 1 should like to place on record that the Council have devoted many, many tours to the consideration of the schemes they arc now asking the ratepayers to vote upon, it would therefore be a cnslly pity to have the proposals turned down through misunderstanding brought abcut by inaccurate statements. —I am, etc, CECIL KOADLEY. Pukekohe, August 14th, 15)16.

The Hunua Hall, TO THE EDITOR.'; Sir, —ln your issue of the Ist inst., your Hunua correspondent states that considerable ill-feeling had bren caused between the Social Committee and the Hall Committee because the latter refused to reduce the charge for hall hire. The matter was considered by the 'Hall Committee and I was instructed to write to you pxplninmg the |H,«llloil. First, 1 would ;.ninl out llial. in the opinion of the Hall Committee

the Social Committee, having both ample and spare funds for the special purpose, bad no right to ask for any tefund.

Secondly, the Committee are prepared to leave any unprejudiced person to judge as to their patriotism. The Committee has been as patriotic as any other local body or individual in New Zealand. They have given in subscriptions £1 ss, on three occaisons no charge has been mads for patriotic socials, and on two occasions a portion has been refunded, whilst for all Patriotic Committee meetings the Hall has been given free. The Hall is not by any means a wealthy institution, being originally built by the ynung people of the district. The Committee do all the cleaning aid attending to the lights gratie. At the present time their surplus fundß are down to the last few shillings-considerably less than what the Social Committee had on hand after Cleir last social. This, Sir, should convince any

"doubting l'homaa" that they have been ss liberel as their lunds permuted, and what is more they have not persjnßlly shirked subscription lists or any work that has helped to make so many things a success during this unfortunate war.

Hoping you will kindly publish this in an tarly edition and thanking you in anticipation, I am, etc., F. LOCK WOOD, Hun. Sec. Hall Committee.