The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4667, 19 December 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1883.

At to-day's installation of the Mayor, allusion was made to the necessity existing for the pursuance of a system of the most rigid economy in municipal matters, and that such a proceeding is imperative is only too true. 'The people fear rates, and naturally oppose such things being imposed upon them; therefore, it appears, that in deference to the popular wish, the Council has bowed. For our part, we cannot see that the Council could come to any other conclusion than that it is necessary to exercise economy, nor can it appear reasonable that it was ever necessary to do anything else. Surely such expressions would imply that economy faas been a thins; unknown in the past, and that it has suddenly dawned upon the guardians of our local interests to do that which should have been a portion of the duties of their office from the time of their election. ' However, assuming that this period of retrenchmentisaboufc to beentered upon, and it is found out that little will result from a cheese-paring policy being adopted, it would not appear to bea very outrageous action on the part of the Council to make an addition to the revenue derived from the rates. The town is one of those most lightly rated in the colony, and, although it has to a very great extent been hampered in its progress by many of its. residents, from various, reasons, not being able to secure the freeholds of their respective holdings, and consequently feeling unwilling to pay rates which chiefly go towards improving other people's property; if it be con^ sidered necessary for the general wealeven allowing that property owners secure the greatest advantage—that an additional rate should be struck, such a thing should be done unhesitatingly. Regarding this cry as to our deplorable condition, our dreadful poverty, and disheartening prospect, a great deal, in the way of remedial measures, lies in the hands of the people themselves. No person, place, or people; who have not industries at his or their back, have ever reached any degree of satisfactory prosperity, and without such things it is not only impossible that this district should thrive, but absurdly puerile on the part of its inhabitants to expect such a thing.