YESTERDAY'S LOAN POLL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1919, Page 4

YESTERDAY'S LOAN POLL.

The ratepayers of New Plymouth are to be congratulated on the progressive spirit shown at yesterday's poll oa the loan pioposals for electric power extension and street improvements, although considerably less than half of those on the roll recorded their votes, for out of a total roll of 2445 only 97S showed sufficient interest in municipal affairs to say yea or nay to the proposals. Both loans were carried by very decisive majorities, and, as was expected the electrical power scheme was emphatically endorsed by 777 out of 901 voters. The streets loan secured over a two to one majority, ai.d in the face of the fate of the previous poll, when the verdict went the other way, yesterday's decision is all the more welcome. At the same time the fact that nearly 290 ratepayers voted against the proposal should impress the council with the necessity for seeing that what work is done out of this loan shall be thoroughly and economically carried out, without that waste the evidence of which in the past caused opposition that otherwise would not have existed. The council has been entrusted to spend this £50,000 in the best interests of the ratepayers, and the confidence reposed in the officials and engineers, as expressed by the poll, should net as a stimulant to their business abilities, .SO that when the whole of the money is spent the result will he a worthy memorial of work well and economically carried out.