A PROHIBITION TOWN.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 86, 13 April 1907, Page 6

A PROHIBITION TOWN.

OAM!ARTJ BQEQTJGH FINANCES

At; the last meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor made a statement anent the finances of the borough for the financial year just closed. As this is the first period in which the revenue lost the aid of publicans' and-'other, liquor licenses, consequent on the carrying of No-license ? the statement has more than, a local interest. When No^license was carried it was freely stated by those favourable to the trade that the borough finances would be crippled by the loss of revenue from licenses, the reduced valuations upon \ the hotel properties, and a reduced consumption of gas, aggregating something approaching £10.00; but the statement submitted by his Worship shows that this pessimist prophecy has not been realised even in part. With- j out any resort to additional rates or reduction of expenditure, the Council have been able to live wiEhin their means, the outgoings of the year having been met by the year's income, and that^ too, without trenching upon tno floating assets. At the same time a larger amount than in former years has been s^ent upon town improvements. This happy state has been produced by an increased revenue resulting from a material growth in the valuation of the town, which has been produced partly by properties having risen in value and partly by the large amount of building that has gone on. The valuation for the current year shows a further' advance, and, as, the Mayor said, the finances of the borough are in a thoroughly sound condition. The Council evidently thought so, too, for they subsequently agreed to subsidise to the extent of £250 the public effort now being made to establish swimming baths in the town.