THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1907. TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 56, 15 November 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1907. TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

The meeting" held at Te Kuiti on Wednesday of last week, for the purpose of discussing the question of adopting a plan of improvements for the town may be termed satisfactory in all respects, and if the committee elected for the purpose of drafting a scheme does its work conscientiously, there will be every reason to anticipate a movement of solid progress in the ftear future. In affirming the principle tnaf eomprehensjve im r provements were urgently fequifep if? the town, the meeting adopted the only course possible. Moreover, in passing the resolution, those present committed themselves to a policy of activity on reasonable lines. There may be room for divergent opinions on the question of Town Board or County Council rule, but the arguments adduced in favour of initiating the work under the Council, are of the strongest possible nature. In the j first place everyone recognises that in order to provide the necessary money for the contemplated 1 improvements, borrowing will have to be resorted to, and in oj=;der Lo meet the interest on any amount \yoi'ib the ratepayers will have to t>e preiLa.ed to pay a special rate for the purpose v qf i)i£e&7g s.uqh interest. Presunvthe ratepayers recognised thi : s when which led to the formation of a t.oir,.. nnttee to draft a scheme. An essen? tial feature of any progressive move' ment is Time, and considering the urgency of the work, it is in every sense desirable that the most rapid means to the end in view, should be adopted. Undoubtedly this means

raising a special loan through the County Council. By taking this course the ratepayers will probably get the loan passed and be able to undertake the work before next winter. Those who may favour the formation of a Town Board need have no scruples about supporting a loan through the Council. A Board can always be formed if found necessary, but in order to perform its functions it would require to borrow. The ratepayers, by going ahead with the I present proposal, will save a great deal of time and expense. To create a Board would take as much time as to raise a loan, and before the Board could effect improvements, at least twelve months would be lost. In any case the only excuse for setting up a Board would be the necessity for creating a channel for the raising of money to effect improvements. Considering that the required channel already exists, in the shape of the Council, a Board, with its attendant extra expense, seems superfluous. Moreover, the Council channel is much larger than the other, and admits of more scope in borrowing. The Board's powers are strictly limited, its borrowing channel being only large enough to float a £3OO loan. It is hardly necessary to point out the advantages gained by borrowing under the "Loans to Local Bodies Act"; it is common knowledge that every progressive local body in the Dominion has taken advantage of the facilities offered, to improve the town or county under its jurisdiction. Places, of far less importance than Te Kuiti are paying high rates to meet interest on money raised for the purpose of improvements of a less urgent nature than are those of any King Country centre. Assessing the capital value of Te Kuiti township at £IO,OOO (it is of course much greater), a rate of three half-pence in the pound would be more than sufficient to meet the interest on a loan of £ISOO. The Act also provides for the expenses in connection with raising a loan, and the first year's interest being taken cut of the amount borrowed, therefore, any general rate raised in the town will be available for expenditure 011 other works than those to be undertaken with loan money. All things considered there is every reason why the proposal for borrowing" through the Council should be proceeded with, and it is to be sincerely hoped the ratepayers will strongly support the movement for the immediate prosecution of comprehensive improvements so vitally important to the town in every respect.