PROPOSED NEW DRAINAGE WORKS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9123, 24 June 1908, Page 6

PROPOSED NEW DRAINAGE WORKS.

CONSOLIDATION OF OLD AND PROPOSED NEW LOANS. The following motion "'as moved by the Mayor at the Borough Council m'eeting last evening:—"That the resolution of the Council to borrow £3P,000, for the purpose of drainage and-sanitation extension, be amended as follows: That the Cuuncil borrow the sum of £40,000 to be applied in paying off the existing drainage loans of £B,OOO and £5,000, respectively, and the balance (£27,000) to be applied in extending and improving the drainage and sanitation works of the Borough; so that the rate to be levied shall be a uniform rate extending over the whole Borough. This proposal to be conditional on the Government agreeing to advance the money for the work, arid the poll to be taken subject to such condition." The Mayor explained that it had occurred to him thut an injustice was likely lo be imposed on the ratepayers in the special drainage area by rating them on the whole of the drainage loans, while the rest of the Borough would only be burdened with the new loan. He thought aa injustica on the special area ratepayers should not be inflicted, and the whole loan should be consolidated. The rate would then be an equal rate over the whole Borough of about Id (.98d) in the £. Regarding the latter part of the resolution, it would be seen that the speaker had altered his view somewhat, as when the proposed loan was previously befdre the Council he did not wish the Council to commit itself to the condition that the Government provide the money. However, if this condition were imposed, and the Go- > vernment did find the money, the rate" of .98d would be considerably lessened, and the burden of the ratepayers materially lightened. The Health authorities could force the Council's hand, and it was only 1 reasonable to expect the Government to assist the Council in the matter. He thought the new motion would appeal more to the ratepayers, and probably mean the success of the loan. Cr Prentice seconded the motion, and said that he was pleased to see that the Mayor had tackled the question of the consolidation of the loans. Cr Pauling thought the only weak point in thu motion was the part resrarding the, Government supplying the money. However, he intended to support the motion and chance whether the Government would advance the money. Councillors generally were favourable to the motion, which was carried Junanimo jsly. The Town Clerk to take the necessary preliminary step 3 for raising the loan.