The Feilding Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1882. THE BOROUGH LOAN.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 6, 5 July 1882, Page 2

The Feilding Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1882. THE BOROUGH LOAN.

As w.-s generally expected, the polling

for the £6,000 loan on Saturday last was again rejected. It is somewhat remarkable that out of a roll of 250

names only L'^o ratepayers recorded their votes. Tbis is much to \r*\ regretted, aud is suggestive ot a l.i-

mentab e amount of apathy on the part of the burgesses. It is evident that the repeated failures to raise the loan have somewhat damped their ardour, and, until some degree of confidence ai.d good faith is again restored between our leaders and the public generallv, it will, in our opinion, be simply useless in attempting any further polling for a loan. We believe there are not a few who view a loan as a means of further taxation

without an}' commensurate increase in che value of property. This is an entirely erroneous view, and one begotten of the want of confidence we have already referred to. We believe a loan is absolutely essential, ir •he town is to make any progress at all, and to attain that position she should occupy from her magnificent resources and central position. This is our opinion, and, we think, is one that is shared in by nine-tenths of the burgesses. In entering into any fresh proposals, it would be well to lay aside •' the wretched past," and avail ourselves of the one striking lesson it teaches — unity. Without such no public body can be of the slightest benefit ; on the contrary, it will prove a stumbling block of the worst description to the progress and advancement of the community. This has been one of the worst ills Feilding has been subjected to in the past. Let us hope that with the election of a new Mayor (and rumor is already busy with the names of several gentlemen as prob-ibie candidates) that a new order ot things will obtain, and that the deliberations of the Borough Council will in the future be characterised by unity, forbearance, and moder-

ation.

Believing such will be che

case, we have no hesitat on in sng- | gesting that fresh steps be taken towards raising a loan of £0,000, to be expended in accordance with a carei ' fully prepared and impartial schedule of works. Let the Boro.igh Council i take the initiative, and prepare their plans on a mutually satisfactory ba.sis. The Mayor should then convene a public meeting', and the Councillors, attending in a body, could lay thenproposals before the public in such manner as would ensure their unanimous approval and adoption. This is the only way out of the present "deadlock;" and, if our sug. estio. beadopted, will go far to restore that confidence between the Counc Hops aud the public which the wretehed bungling of the past lies so materially affected. We have no doubt oi" the ultimate success of suoh a proposal. We sincerely trust before long to see the loan au Jin it ac- | compli, and the Borough enjoying that measure of prosperity attendant 'on its judicious expenditure. Then, aad only then, can the Council seriously consider the question ot draini age, the claims of which are of vital imi ortance to the community at large. Y\ hatever proposals are adopted for raising a loan, the question ot drainage must of n< cessity become one « f increasing importance in the near future. After the expenditure of a loan on si.reei- improvements and road-constrnction, the town would be materially improved, and property enhanced in value. Our security would thereby increase proportionately, and then, under circumstances more favorable than obtain at present, we could confidently go to the money markbt for a further loan of £4,00'.) for drainage purposes. This, we opine, will meet the views of those who wish to obtain a loan of £10,0<-0 in a lump sum. As an initiative matter we commend our suggestions to the Boroi.^h Council, and trust that good results may accrue therefrom. United and prompt action is necessary, and the sooner sieps are taken to bring the matter to a final issue, the better it will be for the good name of the town and tbe welfare and prosperity of its inhabitants.