AN EMBARRASSED LOCAL BODY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 146, 27 June 1904, Page 4

AN EMBARRASSED LOCAL BODY.

Press Association, Electric Telegraph

Copyright.

Gisborke, June 25.

The Cook County Council went to the expense of about £57 in getting the ratepayers to sanction and in arranging for a loan of £6000 by which the maintenance of the county bridges would be met out of a special rate instead of out of the general rates. The Colonial Treasurer has replied regretting that owing to the stringency of the money market, he was unable to grant the loan. Further embarrassment for the Council is the intimation that progress payments for the various works being constrnoted out of Government grants and loan moneys cannot be made. The grants will not be given until the works are completed. In the case of the Tologa bridge the Council has one draft for £4000, and the money will be charged against it in about 30 days' time, when the ironwork is shipped. The Government grant is £1000, and the special loan £3750. Unless the Government find the money when it is required it is difficult to see how the work can go on.