THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1907. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8380, 14 March 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1907. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

We sincerely hope that in the coming session Government will find time to pass a really useful Local Government Bill. Whatever other provision the Bill may contain, it Should (1) make it compulsory on all towns with a population of one thousand and upwards to provide an abundant supply of pure water, and a satisfactory drainage system whsre these very necessary requirements have not already been met; (2) provide financial facilities for the immediate carrying out of such works; (3) make it compulsory that every local authority shall provide a free library, reading-room, and baths; and (4) extend the ratingjsowers. The powers of municipalities are at present altogether too limited, and their progress is thus, retarded. But there are municipalities who do not use the powers they possess, not even in regard to the most needful public requirements. There are still townships—to their shame, be it said—without a supply of pure water, and without any drainage system. Much loss of life has resulted from 'these deficiencies, and infectious diseases have been and are still being carried hither and thither through this sad and positively criminal neglect of proper sanitation. Therefore, we sajf, without hesitation, that such local authorities should be under legal compulsion in" these most important and vital matters, and no delay permitted. Happily, we have in Masterton a supply of pure water, but while it is sufficient for present domestic purposes, there is not in dry weather (owing to so much water being used in the gardens) the high pressure necessary for the extinguishing of fires; and, as the town is fast increasing in population, the supply will not be sufficient for all purposes a few years hence. It is easy to be wise, after the event, but the Corporation, had they calculated the growth of Masterton when they were about to embark on a, scheme of water supply a few

years ago, would have laid a main double the size of that now in use. This want of foresight will involve the township in another large outlay—not less than £IO,OO0 —either to take up the present pipes and put down larger ones, or to duplicate the service by providing another 10-inch main. In regard to sewerage, a large portion of the town is still undrained, and £IO,OOO will be required to complete the drainage. We understand that a scheme will shortly be submitted to the Council, and that there is a fair prospect of the drainage of the town being finished at an early date. Among other local needs are a refuse destructor, baths, arid a suitable isolation hospital. Steps have been taken to provide the two last -mentioned institutions. Money is of course required for all these public works. We think it would be much more advantageous and businesslike if the Borough Council, instead of borrowing small sums from time to time, would make out a full list of the public works desirable and necessary, and apply for a loan sufficiently large to cover the lot. t They have, of course, in the unimproved value, a fund which they might draw upon for these public improvements, were it not that the law limits their appropriation to a very few pence in the pound. Many of the largest City and Town Councils in England have long been petitioning Parliament for powers to rate the unimproved value for all public improvements, and these powers are, we believe, about to be conferred upon them by the Government. The reasons' for this are these —(1) that, all residents in a town help to create its unimproved value; and (2) that public improvements always increase that value. The old cry, "Keep down the rates!" has i-esalted in the decadence and ruin of many a once promising township, for other municipalities, sometimes less favourably situated, but I much more progressive and entert prising, have shot ahead and secured the due reward of their enterprise, leaving their competitors far behind in the race, and taking from them much trade and money which might have come to them had they not been so extremely careful and parsimonious in the spending of money on public necessities. A town cannot make headway without spending money freely, and if the money is wisely spent, so far from being a loss, it brings great gain. We hope to see some of our most capable business men coming out as candidates for the Borough Council. The town has need of their services, town business now on hand requiring the best ability. They may have to make some sacrifices of time and money, but they will have the satisfaction of having helped to promote the healthfulness and prosperity of the town, which, under a Corporation of first-class business ability, has a fair chance of becoming one of the leading towns of the colony outside of the town centres.