BOROUGH FINANCES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 114, 15 May 1908, Page 5

BOROUGH FINANCES.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,-—-In reference to my letter of the 4th inst., I evidently touched the right button, for I see by the report of the last Council meeting that we have a little information about Coliie's Hollow loan expenditure, thanks to Councillor Macey. Now, Sir I think the ratepayers are entitled to a little more . information yet. What I and other ratepayers want to know is this: Did Councillor Macey get his property filled in at the same price per yard as those where the earth was just tipped out of the drays where it was required, because it took quite a little army of men and wheelbarrows to put it where required on Councillor Macey's property? I ask for this as I see by the accounts of those that have paid Councillor Macey is credited with paying about £24, an amount which seems very small to those who have any knowledge of the size of Collie's Hollow at that part, as I consider it would cost six times as much at that part iof the reclamation as any other. I have no doubt that I shall bo told that I do not know anything about shifting earth. Well, sir, I will admit that I do not. But I. do know this much, that if I have a letter to write twice over it takes me twice..as long again as once, and as some of this earth had to be shifted about six times t.o get it under the buildings, it must have cost about six times as much as the other. One more question," Mr Editor. I wish to ask the Council, and' Councillor Macey in particular, why have, they not put the land up for lease1 (that is, what belongs ttf the 'Borough), and so get some revenue for it ? If this had been done twelve months ago there might have been some chance of letting it to advantage: but I am afraid by the state of the Wool market that not much of this will be wanted for stores, etc., at present. What a pity, as far as I can see, that ex-Mayor Macey and his syndicate was not allowed to have this profitable affair,, and so save the ratepayers the expense of paying the interest on the loan. ? RATEPAYER.