South Canterbury Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3016, 27 November 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1882.

South Canterbury in general, and Timaru in particular, Lave reached a crisis, and the time has now arrived when the ratepayers should consider well their position, for upon themselves now depends the future prosperity of the district. The Timaru Harbor Board have come to the end of their purse, and the work they had taken upon themselves to do is not half completed. The initiatory steps of the Breakwater construction are accomplished, and a hope has been kindled in the community of the dawn of a long day of prosperity. To effect the realization of this hope it is necessary that the Harbor Board should have funds to proceed with. The entire amount voted by the Provincial government and derived from the land fund has now been expended, and the Board proposes to raise a loan of d£loo>ooo for the purpose of carrying the work on to completion. The law provides, however, that they must first obtain the consent of the ratepayers at a poll. In order to ensure the subject being fully discussed prior to the poll being taken, meetings will be held throughout the district during this week. It is to be hoped the ratepayers will not fail to attend. We propose in this article to lay before our readers some considerations which present themselves in connection with the matter, and we invite their serious attention. To speak first of the need that exists for harbor improvement, A very little consideration will make this apparent. The population of the district is steadily increasing, and half the recent settlements have been made in anticipation of a good harbor being provided. In Timaru, buildings have gone up and commercial depots have been established solely in view of it. We have been discounting the future very largely, and if our hope is not realised, we confidently predict universal collapse. Behind us lies a large area of fertile country, capable of producing untold quantities of grain, and sustaining immense numbers oi people. No town could be more favorably or centrally situated for being a central port of the Island. A fertile country with a convenient outlet, cannot fail to prosper if fairly developed ; but unless the port is made commodious, there is little inducement for industry and enterprise. The present -dulness is as nothing compared with the stagnation which would follow the stoppage of our harbor works. And apart from the wool and grain staphs finding an outlet, there are the local industries, which there is every reason to hope will multiply. They, also, most have facilities for export ; such facilities would stimulate them immensely. The industrial classes are deeply interested. in the completion of the breakwater. For them it is a matter of tremendous importance, and the question now before them, whether or not the work shall be carried out, is one which they should seriously and anxiously consider. There is not a cottage in the district, there is not a laborer or artizan, whom this matter does not deeply concern. The ratepayer, however small his stake in the district, who neglects to record his vote in this matter will be guilty of culpable indifference to his own interests. We have not unfrequently heard it urged that the benefits to follow the completion of these works would be partial, and enjoyed only by the mercantile section of the community. Nothing could be more absurd than such an idea, as a little consideration will show. The increase of trade would create a demand for labor, immensely greater than exists at present, and all sorts of industry would participate in the revived prosperity. Besides, the harbor trade would be constant and ever-growing. Judging from the extent of the present coastal trade with limited facilities, we may reasonably expect that with increased facilities we should in the future do a very much more considerable coastal trade, and a steady abundant export business. Now, as to the probability of being able to raise this loan advantageously, the cost of it to the ratepayers, and the general financial aspect of the case. We could scarcely enter the money market under more favorable circumstances than those we now enjoy. Oamaru has already had two loans, and is heavily handicapped, while the Timaru Harbor Board has expended its own resources and has not a shilling of indebtedness. We therefore meet the money lender with something to recommend us. And besides such indirect security as this fact offers, there are the direct securities of the foreshore and the portion of the work already completed, as well as the Board’s authority to strike a rate. These three things would be accepted by the creditor as excellent securities. The point on which the most anxiety prevails, is the cost to the ratepayers. They all, naturally enough, dread the imposition of further rates. We have no desire to see an incubus of heavy rates carried by this community, but we are persuaded that in the case of this loan, a very light and temporary rate would suffice. The revenue of the

port would very soon more than suffice ! to meet the interest on the money borrowed, and there would shortly he j no rate to pay at all. Indeed it is doubtful whether the Board would ever require to strike a rate. Now, we put it Anally to our readers whether they do not at once perceive the importance to this town and district of a completed harbor? If the work is proceeded with, industries of every kind will And a Aeld and an outlet, the demand for all sorts of labour must grow, property increase in value, and the present stagnation be exchanged for animation and prosperity. This thing concerns everybody, to the merchant or mechanic, capitalist or cottager, and the question must be faced. We hope none of the accustomed apathy, distinguishing most people here on public questions, will be found in connection with the matter now under notice, but that every ratepayer will attend the meeting in his district, and say anything he may have to say, so that the question may be discussed and considered ; and on the polling day the voters may go to the poll with a fall comprehension of the magnitude of the issues at stake, and of the responsibility that rests upon them, not by any act or negligence, to prevent the completion of the important work.