BOROUGH WORKS.
The New Plymouth Borough Council during the past year cannot be accused of rashness in expenditure of loan money or of exhibiting enterprise in any way that makes for the progress of the borough. We liope tlie new council will not continue the policy of "masterly inactivity." Despite the war, the town is moving; its commercial pulse is quickening; there is justification for the belief that the town is at last coming into its own. A year ago, there may have been some reason for caution in carrying out the borough works, for then it looked as if the borough might be saddled with a fairly substantial rate for the tram-' ways, whilst there was a feeling that the war conditions might prejudicially affect the advancement of the borough. But the tramways arc turning out surprisingly well, and the war so far has not hurt the business of the town. Money was borrowed for street improvements and other works. It remains unspent. A portion is earning no interest; the major portion, only two per cent., whilst the borough is paying 5 per cent, interest plus one-half per cent, sinking fund on £IO,OOO unexpended of the £42,000 loan. In other words, the borough is losing a clear £4OO a year, or roughly £8 a week. This in itself is bad business, but the effect of leaving streets and footpaths in their present state is worse. During the year they have deteriorated considerably, and now they are no credit to a town like New Plymouth. Winter is coming on us, and little or nothing has been done to carry out the works, with the inevitable
result tliat the streets will break up and entail a far heavier outlay than should be the case. An attempt was made by some councillors the other day to let some of the works by tender, but the suggestion was thrown out. We submit that the council should lose no further time in putting these very necessary works in hand, and bringing down a comprehensive scheme for tram extensions. Morley Street extension to Westown is a business proposition that might well lie gone on with at once. It would pay from the oute'et, and certainly help to make the system more profitable. The town should set about seeking good, vigorous, progressive men to act upon the new council, men who are prepared not only to keep abreast of the times but to give the borough a lead. The town is now upon the How of the tide, and must develop rapidly if but wisely directed by its leading men, civic and commercial.
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Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1917, Page 4
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437BOROUGH WORKS. Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1917, Page 4
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