Page 8 Advertisements Column 3

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 167, 24 July 1907, Page 8

LOAN PROPOSALS. 4 A Discordant Note A meeting of ratepayers called by the 3 lay or in connection with the loan proposals was held in the Municipal Hall last night. The Mayor stated that the Council was fully agreed as to the urgency of the proposals. A good deal had been said about loading the Borough with loans, bnt in his opinion loans were better than direct taxation. Some comment had been made as to tho possibility of raising leans, at the present time, but he had an application from a financial firm to take up this loan at 4£ per cent if the ratepayers authorised it. The loan would mature in, 1915. He was emphatic in his remarks that the credit of the borough was good and that there would be no difficulty in paying off such loans. It was undesirable to proceed by way of overdraft when it was possible to raise a loan. The rate need not be collected for the loan, and if he was in office he would endeavour to see that the rate was not collected. Speaking of the esplanade he said that unless some protective measures were undertaken the whole of the esplanade would be washed away. The willow bank from the bridge was under scoured. It was very little use for him to mention these matters unless the ratepayers would go and see for themselves. The whole responsibility rested with the ratepayers and unless they gave the permission to carry on necessary works then the Council could not be expected to accept the blame. As there would be no extra rate ratepayers would have a gain without' any additional cost. It was proposed to plant more trees and shrubs at the esplanade, and through Mr Wood, M.H.R., they were to receive suitable shrubs. Another important item was the Borough offices, and to purchase this building a loan of .£2,550 was proposed. The building at the present time if sold would bring £5000, so on this alone they would have a good profit. The next matter was assistance in making sewer connections a proposal which was of interest to almost every ratepayer in Palmerston. It was pro- ' posed to devote £3000 for this pnrpose, and if necessary £4000 could be set aeide and the ratepayers could connect with the sewer by paying 6 per cent on' the cost. By having all houses connected in streets where sewers are now lavd a considerable saving wonld be effected to the Borough. Hβ thought it was only right that poor people should be assisted to connect with sewers, especially as it would mean no loss to the general ratepayers as the money would be paid back. The Council also proposed to have footpaths coated with tar and sand. They would recognise that good footpaths helped to increase the price of property. He contended that there was a great future for the property owners in Palmerston two years hence. Culverts also required to be enlarged in order to relieve properties of storm water in time of flood. The Borough could not afford to stand still. They had to be progressive. In asking £10,000 he was not asking a great deal. He would take every possible care to see that the money was well spent, and they would get 20s for every £1 spent. He visited all worts twice a week. If a loan was not carried then direct taxation must take place. \ Cr Haydon and Cr Stubbs also supported the Mayor. ♦ Cr Clausen said he was opposed to the loan. They had already thrown away money on the river, and until they had some practical scheme before them he was not wUling'to give his approval. He was in favour of an up-to-date library, but not the ( expenditure of £1550 to patch, up the old building. The only proposal he did not object to was the loan to assist ratepayers to connect their properties with sewer. The Mayor expressed surprise at Cr Clausen's remarks, especially as he sat still in the Council and heard the whole matter fully discussed, and did not object. It was just like Cr Clausen to change his mind at the last moment. (Laughter.) The Mayor then went on to explain how the proposed expenditure would be reproductive. On the motion of Messrs H. J. Wylde and Q. Allman, a motion authorising the Mayor to take a poll was carried.

HOKOWHITU PROTECTIVE WOEKS. The next proposal was to borrow £2*550 to protect the river bank at Hokowhitu. The Mayor sail it was inadvisable to spend more money for this purpose in small same, from which, no permanent benefit could be derived. It was necessary that a systematic scheme should be undertaken, and as soon as possible, otherwise serious damage might result to the town. A sketch plan was placed on the wall showing the vast erosion of the river from 1882 to 1907. and caused considerable surprise to some of the ratepayers, If a rate, said the Mayor, was taken on the loan it would be l-32d in the £, but he contended that the interest would be more than paid by the saving that would accrue from not having to squander money in small sums as they had been doing in the past. The value of the land washed away was JJSOOO, and if this had not taken place they would be collecting some .£6O in rates from the owners. It would be safe to say that by not protecting the banks of the river they were losing some J2150 in rates per annum, not to speak of the danger to the town. The chances of th a river breaking through at Mr Lancaster's had been talked about for the last 20 years. After a few ratepayers had expressed opinions on the proposal sanction was given to take a poll MAIL NOTICE. Mails will close at Palmerston North as under:— For Ceylon, India, China, Straits Settlements, South Africa, also Continent of Europe and United Kingdom, via Naples (due London 3rd Sept.), and for Australian States (due Sydney 30th inst.), ner Wimmera, on Friday July 26th. at 6.15 a.m. W. ISBISTEE, Acting Postmaster. England's national debt in 1836 amounted to £35 per head of the population. Iu 1899 it was only £15. The Boer War raised it to £20 in 1903. Now ifc is £19 per head. That of New Zealand is nearly £70 per head. Munt, Cottrell and Co.. general earners and forwarding agents. Goods clearedthrough customs, and all kinds of shippin? business attended to promptly. Address: Queen's Chambers, Wellington —Advt. For Children's Hacking Cough at night Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d and 2s 6d.* Why spend money at Kotorua and other thermal springs when Eheumo wil quickly cure you of rheumatism, gout sciatica, lumbago. Chemists and stores 2s 6d and 4s 6d.