MOUNT ALBERT LOANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1926, Page 8

MOUNT ALBERT LOANS.

J PROPOSALS TOTAL £750,000. i REQUIREMENTS OF BOROUGH. POLLING TO-DAY. The ratepayers of the Mount Albert Borough are to-day being asked to sanction the raising of loans totalling fToO.OOO for the improvement of the roads and drainage, the erection of municipal buildings, and attention to reserves and public conveniences. The loan for reading improvements is £537,500. It is the object of the loan to carry out improvements which will bring the roads up to the requirements of heavy traffic. It would be impossible to maintain the 59 miles of roads in the borough without an increase in rating. The majority of the older roads were taken over when in an unformed condition, before the operation of modern requirements. This, together with the effect of the phenomenal growth of the borough, makes the loan necessary for the carrying out of the permanent work. Included in the proposals is the concreting of the Xew North Road from tiie Kingsland boundary to the railway leading to the Government scoria pit. The remaining portion of the road to Avondale boundary will be given a bitumen surface. All the secondary streets will be treated with bitumen, while other thoroughfares will be tar-sealed. Out of the drainage loan of £200,000, the sum of £60,000 is to be allocated for storm water and sewerage provision in the Edendale district. The balance will be expended on eewerage reticulation and other drainage improvements. £8000 is needed for the erection of municipal buildings, £2000 for the development of reserves, and £2500 for public conveniences. As the work is to be spread over a period of 14 years, the rating should not be unduly increased. The Mayor has estimated that in 1927-28, when the first call will he made, and when a sum of £125,000 will have been spent, the amount of the security rate collected will not be more than l-10d in the £. The rate when the whole loan has been spent will not be more than lld in the f. The voting this morning showed promise of a good poll.