IN GERMANY.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 October 1918, Page 5

IN GERMANY.

! KAfSER STILL SPEAKING OF SUCCESS. j AMSTERDAM, Sept 30. The Kaiser telegraphed to the Westphalian Patriotic Society: “Glance at our magnificent successes. Our heroic sons and their"leaders can protect the German people, even in the changeable fortunes of war, against unworthy discouragement and unjustified doubt. Germany is undeniably decided to utilise all her forces to fight this enforced offensive war until victory is assured, so that the Fatherland may be protected for all time against foreign oppression.” The “Vossiche Zeitung” understands that Hertling and Von Hintze have tendered their resignations. The Kaiser has accepted Hertling’s resignation. PEOPLE OR AUTOCRAT. REICHSTAG’S VIEWS. LONDON, Sept 30. Reports from Amsterdam state that the majority of the parties in the Reichstag agreed to the necessity of Parliamentary Government. j

A BOROUGH FINANCE Problem. LOAN ILLEGALITY ALLEGED AGAINST TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL CASE BEFORE FULL COURT. WELLINGTON, this day. The Full Court heard a motion for judgment in an action brought by the Controller and Auditor-General against the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of , Taihape for penalties. The question in issue is whether the expenditure of certain loan money by the Council was proper. The facts were that the Council desired to add to the electric lighting system of the Borough, and not washing to wait for the sanctioning of a special loan by the ratepayers, entered into a contract with a person of a syndicate to carry out works, with right to purchase from that person; and subsequently, having obtained the consent of the ratepayers, to a special loan, the Council repaid out of the loan the cost of the works. The Solicitor-General, for plaintiff, argued that a local body can only borrow money for the construction of public works, and if the work is already constructed there is no power to raise money for it. Ho contended the transaction was simply a colourable one to enable the corporation to do something that by law it could not do.

Mr Skerrett, for the Defence said the action was without merit. It became imperative to provide additional electric power, and eertain public spirited men undertook to supply this by way of hire, the Council to have the right to purchase. The whole question was whether the loan was expended in paying the overdraft owing by Loughnan to the Bank of New Zealand. If the Council having decided to purchase the plant, had paid Loughnan the cheque and Loughnan had paid the cheque to the bank in payment of the overdraft, would it be contended there was anything improper? The money was paid to the bank, as Loughnan who as agent did not take anything out of the contract, and had not intended to make anything. He intended it to be a beneficial contract for the Boronghj Decision was reserved.