The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1895. THE BOROUGH LOAN.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 266, 14 May 1895, Page 2

The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1895. THE BOROUGH LOAN.

The ratepayers have had every opportunity given them for discussing the question of the proposed loan of £900 for the purpose of erecting Municipal Buildings, both on the platform and in our columns. The fullest advantagehas been taken of sucb opportunities, and since the foundation of the settlement no subject has excited keener or more legitimate interest. This is only as it should be, because no question affecting the present or future wellbemg of the Borough and the ratepayers should be allowed to go by dofault. That such has been the case in the past is undeniable, but it is quite clear that in the future the burgesses intend to exercise their right of approving, or the reverse, to the fullest extent. As to the loan, we think the ratepayers will be wise in voting for it. No one has ventured to express the opinion that Municipal Chambers are not required, and the only objection raised has been that the Fire Brigade are to be provided with accomino dation for the engine, and rooms in which to hold their meetings. On that point we may say that if the Brigade had asked for this concession, and known that their request would hi'.ve given alarm to any one ratepayer. they would not have consented to be connected with the new building, but would have preferred to make arrangements for the erection of premises to suit their requirements independent of Municipal influence altogether. As it is tho Brigade— m> far as we are aware— at no tun.made application to the Borough Council for assistance in the direction indicated, and it is a question now whether ihe Brigade will— if the buildings are erected, accept the space to be provided for them. It is absurd, then, for anyone to object the loan on tha' ground. As to the difference of opinion relative to the site, that isjonly natural, but it does not follow that one party or the other should not give way. On the one hand it maybe accepted as a certainty that any attempt to break up the cross roads in Manchester Square would certainly involve the Borough in litigation entailing- enormous costs on the whole of the burgesses, while on the other hand by accepting the site offered by tha Colonists' Land Corporation they receive a donation valued at £400" for which they have to pay nothing except a few shillings for the cost ot transfer. We feel assured that if this liberality is declined now, the Borough will not be given another chance of accepting it There is an idea abroad that the penny rate necessary to comply with the law, will some time or other be called up. Well, even suppose it is, it will be only taking the money out of one pocket and putting it in another, because to all intents and purposes the burg-esses are paying away a sum in excess of the proposed rate, of five pounds a year in the shape of rent for the miserable offices now occupied by the Council. By voting for the loan the ratepayers will make a clear gain of £400. Assuming the loan to be passed the indebtedness of the Borough would be £0900, and the Mayor, Mr Sundilancls, has clearly shown that by the accumulation ot the Sinking Fund the whole of that amount will be paid off in the year 1903, and thus relieve the then ratepayers of tlie incubus of the Is special rate. Tn conclusion we ask the burgesses to sink for the nonce all minor difterencies and join hand in hand in carrying the proposed loan. The town is rapidly increasing in importance. The population is gradually assuming very respectable proportions, while the new buildings in course of erection, or projected in the near future, augur well for the prosperity of the town and surrounding districts. In order to keep pace with the times and the progress of private enterprise the burg-esses should have no hesitation in votiny; for the proposals of the Council.