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Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1925, Page 2

At the Borough Council meeting ' Friday night, the Mayor in a short

valedictory address at. the close of the term cf the sitting Council, thanked members for their services and appreciated the work they had performed during the term of oiiico. -Mr Perry of course will be aware of the conditions under which the Council has worked, financial and otherwise, and should be in the host position to measure the value of the work performed. It is possible to agree with him in the statement as to the earnest enthusiasm with which the councillcis worked, and and of the spirit alii: h animated them. Also, in the corollary, that for its size and population, the town is as well served from a civic point of view as any other place. 'While these general statements cover a compliment well deserved by the Council, there appears to he lacking in the work of the Council itself, a line of policy which might tend to the greater betterment of the town and district. Admitting the difficulties of finance and the extraordinary difficulties encountered with water supply matters of late, the fact remains that questions are not disposed of with the celerity they should he. There are resolutions of the Council long standing still without effect. This applies to matters of admiuistiatiou as well as to the carrying iut of works. And in regard .to the latter, it is not clear that the ratepayers are getting the best value from the present arrangement. There appears to be two matters on which the incoming Council might concentrate— namely, finance and public works. The present Council about to go out of office has had a comparatively easy time of it financially, because of loan I mills being available for extraordinary works, as well as something of a windfall in the payment of a grant for street improvements. These sources have prevented anv stringency arising, hut it is not clear that the incoming Council will find the position so comfortable, excepting as regards an increase of rate receipts from tihc new valuation. The new Council will certainly need to look closelv into available, and possible, revenue, and if this is done at the outset of its term, there should he devised a progressive policy of works about the town, having for its ultimate object the material and permanent improvement of the streets and footpaths, which perforce, have not had of late the attention they should have had. If finance and works are coordinated as they should he, it klioiiUl he possible for the incoming Council to achieve a greater degree of success than the retiring Council. It is for the ratepayers, however, to encourage candidates to come forward and so ensure nn election. as a Council elected on the votes of the people will give the best results certainly at this juncture.