SATURDAY, JAN. 14, 1899.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 34, 14 January 1899, Page 3

SATURDAY, JAN. 14, 1899.

'Ihj? system of Bating on Unimproved Valne is receiving more and more attention from local bodies. Becently iij ( ihevjot County, by vote of the ratepayers, it vyas adopted there, and at the meeting of the Titoaru Borough Council on Monpay last, a motion was carried authorising the Town Clerk to obtain from the Goi eminent a return showing the unimpioyed yalup pf all lands in tht Borough of Tjinaru, the said return to be kept in it he Council rooms for reference at any time during office hours, That a great deaj of ignorance of the system e*ißt* where it should not exist is evident from the Herald's report of thp discussion on the motion referred to above, one councillor asking, " What would be the use of the information ?" The motion to obtain the information was onjy carried by eight votes to si*, the Mayor voting with the minority, ijither the owners of unim prqved property in Timaru are largely represented on the Borough Council, or there is groat ignorance of a short Act passed two years ago, and with which every member of councjla and kindred bodies should be familiar, Waimate is to be congratulated on the fact that its Borough Council has appointed a committee to obtain information, and report on rating pn unimproved value, in view of its possible adoption here.

It i« gratifying to learn that the Pptyie library CorurmMee has decided to take .steps to secujre for their institution a copy of the Encyclopaedia Brjtanniea, Some TVeeks ago we suggested the desirability of this being done as there is at present an opportunity of obtaining ai up-'to-dat» edition in durable binding At about half the usual cost. We had intended now the holidays are oyer and the public are again settling down to thp ordinary routine, to. revive the subiect. "We are glad, however, £he Committee has taken the matter m hand, as ioi many reasons it Bhould leceive more general support in carrying out the purpose than vyas likely tp be accorded to us, A newspaper 'which has the courage of its opinion and 13 not afraid to take sides when {;he necessity Arise* is certain f 0 make enemies for itself, and as there are always some people mean enough to rgfus« to iorward ah otherwise worthy object because those wh.o are promoting it may have offended thpin, we think th.c Liurary Conamittee th!e prop«r body to raise funds to secure the Encyclopedia. We shall be pleased to help the movement in any way\ by fret advertisement or otherwise.