PAPAKURA'S BOUNDARIES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 381, 7 June 1918, Page 2

PAPAKURA'S BOUNDARIES.

Elected two vears ago on a progressive "Ticket" the Papakura Town Board, as at present constituted, have assuredly redeemed the pledges they made to their constituents, t'or their occupancy of office has been characterised by a sound administration that is well in keeping with Papakura's advance as a township, and vet expenditure has been so carefully checked that without having had any recourse to extra rating the Board will have the satisfaction of leaving finances in a thoroughly satisfactory condition. Despite all that has been done the Board has however, encountered the opposition of a small knot of ratepayers, who are apparently conscientious objectors to any developments or progress taking place in the township. First it was the installation of a night-soil sanitary service that they attempted to thwart, and now their efforts are being aimed to upset the Board's scheme for extending the town boundaries. The facts, however, are that a larger area will ensure more economical working, the present position being that the portions of Franklin and Manukau Counties planned to be brought into the township now use the Board s roads and do not contribute to their up-keep. Then again the imminence of a water supply scheme for Papakura makes it desirable that an enlarged area should be secured. The fact that nearly all of the owners of properties to be transferred to the township recognise and approve of the wisdom and reasonableness of the change, and that both the Franklin and Manukau County Councils concur although they are losers thereby, constitutes the best argument that the Board could possibly ha%-e to support them in their project and it is therefore surprising that any discordant note should be sounded by anyone' within the township. Steps are, nevertheless, being taken to secure signatures to a petition of objection but the ratepayers of Papakura can surely be depended upon not to countenance a movement that seems founded on petty jealdusy and is undoubtedly inimical to the town's best interests.