ROSLYN BOROUGH.

Evening Star, Issue 12722, 27 January 1906, Page 6

ROSLYN BOROUGH.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As a ratepayer I attended the meeting held in the Wakari Drill Hall on the 2ord inst., and was disappointed, amongst other things, at the want of unanimity and harmony obtaining amongst councillors, and the animosity displayed by some of them towards the mayor. The latter may suggest reforms, hut without the support of a majority of the Council he is utterly unable to give effect to them, and when the majority of the Council decide it would be more becoming of Dio minority to accept the situation than; to adopt a policy which only makes them ridiculous in the eyes of the ratepayers. A great deal was said about the evils of borrowing, and, in theory, it is an excellent idea that we should live witliin our income; but in a rapidly-expand-ing borough- such a thing is absolutely impracticable. It is not to bo supposed, for instance, that tie cost of laying down a water service in the borough is to be paid 1 for out of one year’s revenue, nor would 1 it bo right to the present ratepayers that they should have to bear the whole of that cost. Payment of such works should he spread over a great many years, so that future generations may contribute their quota, and 1 this can only be done, by spreading out the cost in Die shape of a long term loan, and merely making a small extra charge over interest to Die ratepayers towards a sinking fund for redemption of the loan. 'He recentlyinstalled electric light, which all will admit is a great- boon to the borough, must also be classed as a permanent improvement, and Diera is no reason why the ratepayers of 191)5-06 should be asked to pay the whole cost of the installation. A suggestion was made that the cost should be spread over five years, the reasonaideneas of which the meeting failed to appreciate. For my own part I would prefer to see this item included in a loan over a period of twenty years, such loan, to cover also the- -cost at water supply, street formation, etc. The growth oi the borough is now such Duct it is no longer passMe to provide for permanent works out of each year’s revenue, and a broad view of Die situation should bring, tins fact home to oh the councillors. Borne. ratepayers, in asking what advantages Drey receive for an increase of rates, fad to realise that it is entirely to street formation, lighting, drainage, etc., that they owe the enhanced value of their sections, which, under these improved conditions, are probably ■\fort-b as much per foot frontage as previously they were worth per acre as gracing land. I hops to see more interesttaken in municipal affairp as the result of Die recent meeting, and, if necessary, another meeting called to thoroughly discuss j Dm question of a lt*» for permaatent worki,! or no loan -for a poHqy of stagnation anc], j

prospect of the City Council undertaking the laying of -water mains in Rcslyn, and in that case the borough must face the problem. Trusting that this may assist in arousing more interest in the affairs of the borough— l am, etc., Advancement. Roslyn, January 27.

to the ed iron. ®hy I attended a meeting of Roslyii ratepayers on Tuesday - evening, and throughout the whole time the meeting lasted—neatly two hours—a very strong feeling against the policy of borrowing as put forward bv the mayor and Or Hamel was plainly visible. .Now, ar, X would like to hear year idea of tho mayor’s ruling in 'his refusing to put an amendment which had been moved- A motion that short-dated debentures bo issued for tha purpose of paying off tho lighting plant was moved by Cr HameL This was seconded. An amendment moved by Mr Miller that an arrangement bo made in accordance with the contractors’ offer, end that the rates be so a £iustio<l as to pay the contracted)’ account on in twelve months, was ruled *by the mayor be - a direct negative, and therefore not in order. How he arrived at this -conclusion was a mystery to nine out of every ten cf that very largo meeting, the largest ratepryera’ meeting ever held in tho Roslyn Borough, Will you kindly give us your experienced views on Mr Washer’s ruling? I am informed that, in spite of the strong opposition shown to the methods of the narrow majority of the Council, the raavor has called a special meeting of the Council for Monday night for the purpose of making a special order authorising the issuo of debentures. If no other and no better method of paying this account were at hand there might be some alight excuse for the mayor’s actions; but, as was clearly shown by some of the councillors at tho public meeting, a very much cheaper method, and one upholding the honored policy of this borough, is within, their reach, which policy, notwithstanding the assertion of tho mayor to the contrary,: is quite legal, and carried on in every branch of business in Dunedin.

1 hope, sir, that before, the present mayor is allowed to so disregard the voice of the public, as well as the advice from your pen, the ratepayers will compel the whole Council to vacate the place of honor, and will fill such places by niep more fit to carry out the work of the borough, or that they will decide on amalgamation with the City. As far* as I am hear, the past year’s bungling of the borough’s affairs has converted many who were strongly opposed to amalgamation to bo very much in favor of joining Die Fame.— I am, etc., Disgusted. January 27. [Our opinion is that the ruling that the amendment was out of order was wrong.— Ed. E.S.] TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As soon as “Ratepayer” drops his mask and discloses his identity I will give him my reason for not being present at the largo (?) meeting of 150 persons held in -Wakari Hall on Tuesday evening. But why is another councillor’s name withheld from the list?—l am, etc., D. Dawson. January 27.