SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1889

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 343, 16 February 1889, Page 2

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1889

At the end of the present financial year Piako County Council will have no overdraft. The startling announcement was made to Council by Mr Tuck, the County Clerk, at a recent meeting that such would be the case, provided no large new work? were entered into involving extensive liabilities, which would require to be met before March 31st ; and at the meeting of the Council held on Saturday last, the Clerk stated that the overdraft had been reduced to £100 18s ; and Facetiously added — the Bank authorities were anxious to know if in future the I balance to Council's credit would be placed at deposit. It certainly speaks well for the excellent management of the Council, that in less than four years an ' overdraft of considerably over £11,000 has been practically extinguished, about three foqiths of the amount bping provided for from the general County funds, The fact is all the more noteworthy seeing that all necessary works have been carried out during the time this rednciion lias been gointr on. On May 25th, 1885, a deputation of the Council, consisting- of Messrs Williams, J. C. Firth, and Gould, waited upon the Hon Mr Larnach, then Minister of Mines, on j the occasion of his visit to the Waiorongomai gold field, with reference to the financial position of the Council. Mr Firth on behalf of the deputation stated the County indebtedness at that time was £1 ',500, occasioned by the expenses incurred in connection with the construction of the County tramway at Wainrongomai. It will be remembered Mr Larnnch consented to assist Council by giving them a grant of £3000, on condition the Council levied a -|d rate (eatim vt'd to yield £3500 on the valuation roll thrn in force), the amount thus realised to be devoted to the reduction of the overdraft (which was done), and also provided the necessary steps were taken to pay off the balance of the overdraft a* soon as possible. And now, in less than four yoais, the overdraft has been reduced to £100, and will bo totally extinguished by March 31st. The fact deserves special commemoration at the hands of Council. The event is one of deep interest to the ratepayers of the County also, more especially when it is borne in mind that the bnnk inteiest alone on the County overdraft fora considerable period, at nine per oent, swallowed up from £500 to £1000 per annum j which sum would otherwise have been available for general County works It should never be fori-'otti-n by ihe ratepayers of To A roh a Ridin«,thatit was for the development of the Te Aioh.i q >MnVl I, ami thaf alone, that this enormous liability was incurred by the Council, the several members of which thereby lai ' themselves open to I c -upil by t.ie Government Auditor fo>' recovery of tho amount .the overdraft exceeded the leiral limit allowed by the Counties Act. Th ■ Council have ever acte 1 in a most liberal manner towards th* Te Arolm ami JRMinir generally. H.id not the Counc 1 rendered such vahnMi> assistance towards <he development of the KoUfiold, bv undertaking atwl canyitiu; out tl c construction of the VWiorongom.ui tram*

way, to (his day it might hnvp been without a battery, Mr W. R. W.ilson might never have visited thegoldfield, and such a magnificent and complete plant aa that now in course of erection by the T« Aroha S. and G. M. Co, never have been undertaken. When unscrupulous men, having only their own selfish ends to serve, seek to throw dust in the eyes of local residents, and to prejudice the Council in the eyes of the ratepayers, let them not be carried away by those wouldbe politicians ; mere gas pipes (to whom the real progress and prosperity of the district is a matter of secondary considera--tion compared with getting into offree, and serving their own pnds), but just bear inonind what the Pjako County Council halt i done for this district. That the Council are still desirous of assisting to the utmost of their ability this Riding, ant] fully recognise the desirability of forwarding in every reasonable way the development of the goldfield, was amply demonstrated at their last meeting, when they unanimously resolved to construct a traffic bridge across the Waihou river opposite Waiorongomni, at an estimated cost of £500, to be paid for out of the general Coucty fund.^Had the Council chosen to be parsimonious in the matter, they could, and that not unreasonably, have objected to construct the bridge unless the cost were defrayed by the two Ridings (Te Aroha and Waitoa), principally concerned. It is a matter for congratulation that our goldfield is under the control of a Council so liberal minded, and (favourably disposed towards its development.

The poll for the election of a Licensing Committee 'for the Te-'Arohu Licensing Distiict will take place in the Te Aroha Public Hall, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p,m r on Monday next. It is to be hoped some interest will be shown on tho occasion, and those having the right to vote exercise it, There will be a sitting of the Warden's and R.M, Com t at Te Aroha on Tuesday next. A The anniversary services in connection th 9 Te Aroha Wesloyan Church wi'l be held to^m,orro«v, when the Rev S. Lawry will preach both inoniing""nnd evening. We understand Mr A, W. Edwaids has purchased a very nice residence site, consisting of two corner allotments (half-a.n-aere), next t!ie Wesleyan Church, from Mr D. J, Frnzer, by whom the ground has been nicely fenced, levelled, sowed down, and planted. We believe Mr Edwards puipos.es shoitly erecting a dwelling house thereon. Although a number of persons perused the specifications for bush clearing the line of aerial tramway for the Champion G and S. Mines, Tui ; only two tendeis were received for the work, viz., fioin John Wallace, £79 19s (no deposit) ; Patk. Forsman and Thos. MePeke (accepted), £40. The specifications were deemed too strict by the majority of intending contractors, the time allowed beinjj only fourteen days for completing the work, and the time penally £1 a day. We are pleased to be able to state that condition of Mr Fred. Hyde, who was so badly injured in the face at Te Aroha, under circumstances repoited in our last issue, has so far improved under the care of Dr Cooper, as to permit of his reniovil to the Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, where he was conveyed by train yesterday. Strong hopes me now entertained of the injured man making a complete recovery, We are informed that a most reprehensible practice has been recently started in connection with operations at the local fl.ixmill, that of disposing of all the waste to-w,etc,, by bundling it up and throwing it into the river. Our informant assures us this is what is now being done with the waste material. We would like to see eveJy reasonable facility and indulgence afforded Mr Coulthqrd in connection with the fl' lX industry a( Te Aioha, more especially bearing in mind the very heavy loss lie has recently, sustained owing to the desti notion of his mill by fh-e ; but we tr ns t *' ie authorities will take prompt steps to put down with a fjrm hand such a practice as that referred to. Tow, or wasre material of that character, would prove most mischievous in the river by musing obstruction, and thereby occasianing sand banks and accumulations, and also pprhaPS get|foul of the screws of boats plying on t lie ri ver. The February number of the Illustrated Australian News (New Zealand Edition) is to hand, The illustrations, as usual, are excellent ; one reserving of special mention being entitled " A Kauri Forest." On Tuesday evening next Waiorongomai Band of Hope and Rlu Q "Ribbon Army will hold a. meeting in the Wevahiko Hall. A good programme has been prepared for the occasion, consisting of recitations, instrumental and vocal music. Rev. S. Lawry, Rev. .T. Marshall, and Mr J. R. Hooper, of Auckland nre expected to. lie present and take part. Mr Hooper will deliver an address on temperance work in Auckland, and also on the prohibition question, which should prove very interesting. It is to be hoped that both the friends of temperanoe, and rtlso those who oppose the good cause, will be present in large numbers to hear the important question discussed. The Waiorongomai Sunday School anniversary services will be held on the 10th March ; the soiree and concert will beheld durinir the week after. The Committee are working hard to ma?ce them a srent success. A large choir is steadily practising for the occasion.