The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1920. BOROUGH PROBLEMS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 574, 12 October 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1920. BOROUGH PROBLEMS.

By the report of the last meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council it will be noted that the council is up against t,vo 01 Hire? knot I y problems, the major one being the difficulty of securing substantial amounts of money, the sanction for the raising of which was granted by the ratepayers under the £84,000 loan proposal carried some months ago. The situation gives us some concern but no surprise: readers of the "Times" will recall how we persisted in urging the Council to proceed with the loan proposals with the greatest expedition, because we considered that in face of the heavy demands on the Dominion money market by a very large ) number of local bodies Pukekohe I would have difficulty in satisfying its requirements if it were not early in the Held. What we predicted has come about, plus the added disadvantage of the State taxation of local bodies' debentures, even in the piesent modified form. However, the Council is. endeavouring, per means a clause in the Washing-up Bill, to secure permission to raise the rate of interest to 5Va per cent., which, under the circumstances, is an unfortunate but justifiable procedure. Private iirms often set out their programme well in advance, but find that it is somewhat upset by an award of the Arbitration Court increasing the wages, or by adding a cost of living bonus (generally retrospective—a most objectionable practice). But the firm does not shut down; it makes fresh adjustments, and carries on. Local bodies must do likewise, and we hope that the Council will be successful in its efforts to meet the new situation, and so save the trouble and expense of a further appeal to the ratepayers. Every effort must be made to raise the money for the purchase of materials and the payment of labour in connexion with the extension of the electric lighting and water services, for the making and improvement of roads and the installation of the drainage. Other matters of less importance, such as the proposed town hall, can well wait for a more favourable season.

There is ak>o the oiler of Rouse's park to be dealt with decisively, aid this is no simple matter to decide. With the already heavy commitments on their shoulders the ratepayers will not feel disposed to lake up further burdens, however light. Nevertheless, in view of the undeniable fact that Roose's property would be an asset to Pukekohe for all time, a place of reel cation for the present generation ;,nd countless generations in the future, it is well worth while trying to secure it. Had the property been donated to the Borough the gift would have bestowed honour on the donor's name for all time, but since it is not going to be a gift, the best must be made of terms that will never be available again. Once the land and bush passes into other private hands the beautiful native trees will be cut down for commercial use, and that will be goodbye to all dreams of a park. The owner's terms arc extremely moderate, in that ail he requires is V.IPO down and debentures for the balance. This would mean that, in eider to pay interest on the debenture a loan would have to be carried for the full amount. The settlement of the question rests with the ratepayers, and wc mist that they will take the larger view and secure the'property for the Borough, which practically means for themselves. In the meantime the Council should take immediate steps to have the property proclaimed a scenic 'reserve, which is an easier thing to do now than it was years ago, when the people were apathetic about the destruction of scenic beauties; they have since been enlightened by the consistent press propaganda.