THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1910. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10017, 13 April 1910, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1910. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

! The report presented to the Bnrough Council last evening by the Treasurer in regard to the Municipal finances is one that will be read with pleasure by ratepayers eeneraJly. For years in the past it was the desire of ratepayers to see the indebtedness of the town reduced, but until within ths last two years the overdraft on the Oeneral account was so substantial as to create something akin to uneasiness in the minds of those who have to pay the rates. Possibly had the boom continued the Boiough would have been compelled "to launch out" in various directions in order to keep pace with the times, but when the slump set in the Borough Council evidently determined very wisely to get its affairs into good order as soon as possible. That it has succeeded to a very commendable extent is ap-

parent from the report submitted last evening According to the comments made bv the Mayor, during the past two years the overdraft haß bpen reduced by, practically, £3,000. two-thirds of the reduction being effected in IUOB-9, while last year the Council, though faced with a diminished revenue from the Waterworks account amounting to £I,OOO, and a total loss of licensing fees amounting to ovir £2OO, succeeded in still further reducing the overdraft by another £.1,000 Such a position is eminently satisfactory, j and the public generally will not be I tardy in bestowing well merited praise upon their municipal councillors who have served them both faithfully and effectively. When referring to the financial position, the Mayor paid a generous but well deserved tribute to the services of the Town Clerk and Engineer. There is no doubt that in Mr Mansfield the town possesses the services of a very valuable and efficient official. A satisfactory financial position has not been achieved at the "cost" of the Borough; the roads as a whole are in a very good state of repair, while the Drainage and Waterworks ai'e working satisfactorily. Apparently Q: e if .ha secrets of success is keeping within the estimates, and in this respect the Mayor told the Council last evening that Mr MansJield was very "strict." The reduction in the price-of gas, though not large, will be welcome news to consumers. The price of gas should, of course, bs made as cheap as is consistent with ruiiiiinar the works on sound business principles. That the Cour.cil is able to see its way to make the reduction mentioned is testimony to the capable management of the Gasworks Mani ager, Mr Blackmsn Although it was said that it would be a long time before a further reduction could be made, we trust that tha statement will prove highly incorrect in the light of future events. The business of the Gas Department can, no doubt, be still further, developed, and with greater consumption there should be a diminution in the price. Another matter of interest at last night's meeting was the letter of the Masterton Fire Board, in which it was stated that there was only a 301bs water pressure (according to the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade) on the occasion of a recent fire in Queen Street. The Borough Engineer, when reporting on the statement, gave it an emphatic contradiction. There will probably be further discussion of the allegation, which has been made in somewhat similar terms on various occasions in the past, and the result will probably be that the public will be able to form an accurate conception as to what pressure is likely to be available when a fire occurs.