MT. EDEN BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 132, 5 June 1923, Page 3

MT. EDEN BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

(To the Editor.) Sir.—l should like, to correct the misstatement of facts that is contained in a letter in your Saturday's issue over the signature of "Hiiteptiyer." It is not correct that ratepayers will have to "pay much heavier rates in order to pay a few more highly-paid salaried overseers." The sole reason for raising the general rate was exactly in accordance with "'Ratepayer's"' expectation, viz., because "many of pur roads are in a bad state of repair." There is no provision or the estimates for a few more or any more officers, highly paid or otherwise. Neithci has the council decided to appoint a road overseer: indeed it negatived a proposal to that effect. Xor ha.- the council de cided to purchase a motor ear There is. however, a notice o: motion before the council thai may result in a motor car being pur chased. Should the car be purchttsec it will be because the council is con vinced that cllicicncy demands it am economy will justify it. But it will no add one cent to the rating. The in ereasie in the water rate was unavoid able. The year started with a debit ii I the water account ot £042. The exist ing financial basis upon which thii account rested was such that the aeeoun was going to the bad at a progressiv rate, and at the end of this year then would have been an additional debit o £1000. making some £1000 in all. Tin council was compelled to deal with thi matter at once in order to prevent tin debit reaching iinniaiiagenble propor tions. They (lid so by raising the rat and ~y charging to other funds tin amount of water that was consumed b; the works for which thnjo funds wen authorised to be used. There is not tin slightest need lor any alarm «n tile par of ratepayers. The "alert ratepayer' will have already noticed that the spiri that is dominating the councillors is oni of determination to do their duty faith fully and well. This is evidenced by th< fact that they have held several meet ings, worked 'for very long hours, con ducted most exhaustive investigations and brought ccusiderable ability to then work. Moreover the proceedings ot tin council have been comluctea in a mannei that would do credit to any body Oi o" importance yet to be considered, an(J when this work is complete, Liie rule nnvers will !*• pnblHy informed of the exact position that the borough is in.—] '""' C l "' J. L. A. KAYLL (Mayor).