THE PROPOSED LOAN.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 946, 17 September 1901, Page 2

THE PROPOSED LOAN.

TO THE KIiITOB. St*,—ln looking over the number of letters referring to the proposed loan 1 nee nothiim worthy of much notice, as the writers evidently do not understand the subject they aro dealing with. So I will content myself with a few brief details. When I announced my. self as a candidate for Mayoral honors I Advocated certain necessary works, and although I was told that I would lose the eleo« tion if I continued that policy, I determined, if elected, it would be on the distinct under standing that a loan for necessary works would be granted by the ratepayers. Seeing that I was elected on these lines, I fail to ®ee now the electors can now alter their former decision. I inuv further state that until in the chair 1 had no idea that the finances were in such n state of chaos. Not only had the Is rate, which waa to have kept "the town fu" 1 /',! i- . n , s P en ' ftl "l the overdraft up to tvnn 1 1 hud to provide for about iiiOO unpaid accounts or almost another la rate-when it was boasted that Is .was sufficient.

That drainage is necessary, 1 think, needs no argument; but naturally the amount required is a debatable point. The Council, instead of going to u lot of expense, appointed a committee to report on proposal works, and after a good deal of trouble thev presented the scheme now before the public. Had plans and specifications been prepared wo would have been met with the question • Why go to such expense before knowing that the money would be provided.' And rightly, too. When a man contemplates bnildini! a bouse he first arranges his finances and afterwards gets his plans prepared as wo have done. And I feel sure that none can dispute the wisdom of our cour.-e. In making the estimates we had other similar workij to guide us, and that itself was quite sufficient. Even supposing the money doe, not do as much as expected, it will at any rati} do that much thoroughly, and if at any time more money is required, it will te to extend, not to alter, our system, as plans will he prepared for a permanent, and not a temporary system. "

The asphalting of footpaths is n very great convenience and comfort to all Notwithstanding what has boon said to the contraiy, no charge will bo made to ratepayers, as it is r.ot intended to make more Hum a narrow path. I feet sure when completed ratepayers will lind it a greater boon than they anticipate. Water for lire prevention must be obtained, and it will rest with our engineer to say how. Certainly wo cannot continue in thepreient state, seeing we have a good lire engine and an enthusiastic and most efficient lire brigade. The money propoaod to be spent upon the stlleyards 1 look upon as a sound invi stnient, und one that will give us an actual cash return. A very large business is done there evory sale day, and dunng the winter months the yards in their piesent state are quite unlit for use. It is the duly ot the Council to provide decent accommodation, seeing that they are well paid for it. J. lie repairs to the traffic bridge need no comment. Although a sum was put on the estimate of works to do this, it was at the expense of the streets, und, being urgent, had to be provided, no ni itter whal else was neglected. Should the loan be granted, this sum would be applied to maintenance, and it will bo little enough to put all streets in decent order before next winter. It is intended to make up the approach to the bridge on the west side, so that both sides of Medway street will have a footpath leading on to the liiidge.

The works in East Gore consist of grading from bridge to Huron street, mincing and improving the grade in Huron fleet lo Oxford street, improvements in various streets Hamilton, Talbot, Switchback, and several others as mentioned a', tile public meeting. The footpath from the Inidgo to Huron street will be asphalted (a most desirable and long-wanted work), besides several other works.

Taking the works contemplated into consideration, I am satiMi :d they will be most beneficial to everyone, und, instead of tending to lower values, rather t>ie reverse. The debt i-i only a small one for the population, and although many may think the amount asked too little, 1 would ask them to bear in mind that I have pledged myself to keep a watchful eye on the finances, and that 1 intend lo do. I hold that the amount asked is sufficient in the meantime, and I am persuaded that even after the money is spent (and bear in mind it will take two to three years to do this), there will be no nccest-ily to niiso the rate* more than :id higher than at present. If necessary the same rate as at present will suffice, but with this provi-o : >"" must /1111 in Mm n il,I l. u.nr „ h<il lli, !/ nrr lilmiil : Hill lIU'II irhn writ,, letter* In the Ulul null*,' st'tteiiu ut* th, if njiiiuit jinu e. In conclusion, I would ask ratepaycn to vote for the loan on the following grounds : (1) They elect-d me on the distinct understanding that such loan was necessary and would be asked for; (2| the works are absolutely necessary, and public health demands immediate attention to the drainage ; and (;t) the work cannot be done in any other way, and unless a lean is gianted streets, etc., will be allowed to go out of repair, as there is no money to do the most necessary works. I would ask all to remember the polling day, and to come forward and show that they are satisfied that the present Council can and will do everything for the good of the town. I am, etc., A. A. .MAI ( j] lIIIoN.