PARAWAI REJECTS AN ALLIANCE WITH THE BOROUGH.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2870, 27 April 1878, Page 2

PARAWAI REJECTS AN ALLIANCE WITH THE BOROUGH.

(To the Sditor- of tbe Evening Star.)

SlB, —If any argument were wanting to prove that the proposed merging of this district into the Borough of Thames would be a fatal inislake, it has been supplied by the Mayor himself. His Wor- I ship's report of a deputation to Sir 6. | Grey, and the Hon the Wat ire Minister,' and a letter appended thereto, laid before the Borough Council last evening, fully establish the following facts :— 1. The Borough, having already had a large overdraft paid by the Government, is again obliged to ask for pecuniary assistance to the extent of £3000. 2. The Mayor admits that the Borough, having no endowments, is in so exceptional a position as regards traffic, as regards rating, the maintenance of charitable institutions nod fire brigades, the responsibilities of ft local Board of Health, Ac, that the sum of £3030 would only help to "tide them over the difficulty." 3. He admits, also, that their revenue is £8,260, out of which only £3,050 is available for current expenditure ; that their overdraft now is £1,800 and that they are utterly unable to meet the calls upon their revenue. Now, whilst I feel much sympathy for the Borough, and hope they will obtain all they ask from Government, and more, I object. as. ft ratepayer to be tacked on to a rotten carcase. I have reason to believe that the recent petition to the Governor, praying that the Parawai District be merged into the Borough of Thames, was signed by many under a mis-apprehension of * what they were doing—who were ignorant of the net so cleverly prepared for them. There is, however, plenty of time left them for reflection, and when the period arrives for ft counter petition, I trust the ratepayers will numerously avail themselves of it. Parawai should " let well alone." She has at present rerj little to complain of; and having a fair voice in the -management of the County, is in ft much better position than she would be as a partner in the difficulties of the Borough.—l am Ac, A PXIAWAI BATBrXHB. Parawai, 26th April, 1878.