The Northern Advocate MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1911. THE RIGHT WAY.

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1911, Page 4

The Northern Advocate MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1911. THE RIGHT WAY.

WISDOM is a quality depending so intimately on past results for its being that it may be regarded as a select room to which admission is gained by the doorway of experience; though it does not follow that this guiding fin-ger-post is to be found at every crossroad corner of human affairs. In someinstances, however, where one of several ways may be followed, experience indicates to those who would be wise one infallible direction. This is all the more serviceable where many people are likely to be affected, and it applies very particularly to one phase of local government—the raising of loans for public purposes of a permanent character, where ordinary revenue cannot meet the case. In theory, borrowing under such conditions is sound where the interest is reasonable; and in practice also it is sound where the administration of the loan is carefully guarded. Scores of borough and county councils and other local bodies, as well as small 'areas within the control of those bodies in New Zealand, can certify to-day that borrowing has saved awkward and almost untenable situations, and has put backward places well on the course of progress. By judicious borrowing, the borough of Whangarei will find — if.the funds are properly controlled — that it has accomplished that which would never have been possible out of the regular ratine; system, and will wonder why it was not done much sooner. Large areas of the Whangarei county are already enjoying the benefits arising from improved road traffic routes, which mean everything to the country settlors, whe.o no other methods are available. Following the lead of other enterprising county areas, a proposal is now afoot in the Maunu riding to raise a special loan of £7000 for metalling and formation —where required—of the main county road f reffi the western boundary of the borough to the Wairua river, and from the Maungatapere butter factory to Skelton's, tapping the Tangihua block. There are so many good features wrapped up in this particular proposal that no interested ratepayer

should have the least hesitation in saying "Yes" when the poll is taken. One of the chief things in its favor is that the people in the area denned for rating will not have to pay a farthing more than they are now doing. The interest to/be charged for meeting repayment will be covered by a special rate of one halfpenny in the £ ; but if the proposal is carried the County Council will be able to reduce the present separate rats by the same amount required to meet the special loan rate, and thus the settlers affected will have at their disposal for the purposes specified a sum of £7000, without any extra cost to themselves. The period of repayment is 36% years, and the money can be borrowed at the astonishingly low interest of 3% per cent, and V 2 per cent, for sinking fund —only 4 per cent, altogether. That is cheap enough money, in all conscience, and the settlers are remarkably fortunate in hitting a time so j favorable; but they must not expect the same low terms to be at their command in the future if they pass this opportunity. Where the wisdom of borrowing for road works comes in— as taught by experience—is that the highways can bo put in a durable state to curry more comfortably and quickly the ever-increasing traffic due to the rapid growth of settlement in the district; whereas, up to the present, the attempts to properly form and metal roads out of the ordinary revenue have, proved a complete failure. All that has been possible, or ever will be possible if the usual rat- | ing is relied on, has been and will be nothing but patchwork, seldom lasting more than one year and then having to be renewed. The amount available year by year, after the cost of administration, charitable aid and other charges, is not nearly sufficient to road the district effectually. Not only will the settlers have the use of a decent highway for their own lifetime, but they will have laid a foundation for future' usage. Another point worth consideration is that as the population increases and the district moves ahead, there will be more valuablp property and more people to share the light responsibility. The County Council has included in the loan area a stretch of unsettled native land, which in the future will have to contribute towards the special rate. That will be another factor in reducing the individual cost. Sometimes it is found necessary, either because of miscalculation at first or mismanagement afterwards, to raise a supplementary loan; but in this case everything points to the sum named being more than sufficiant. One reason is that alongside the road on either hand there is good metal in abundance, and it can be broken very cheaply by utilising the county stone-crusher. We have also some ground for the belief that the metal will be given in many instances. Many settlers in the area under question 'are suppliers to the butter factories at Maungatapera or Whangarei, and it requites no great perception for them to realise how much easier, quicker, and cheaper it will be for them to deliver their cream at any time of the year. The important matter of developing the fruitful Mangakahia district is also opened up in this connection. We have information, too, from an authentic source, that the Kaitara settlers are virtually unanimous in a purpose to raise a loan sufficient, to metal the Kaitara main roads, which will connect with the Maunu main road at Harding's corner. That loan seems likely to be acquired without a poll, on the statutory provision of a petition bearing the names of'three-quarters of the ratepayers interested, in further evidence of the prospect of linking-up a tremendous district by perfect roads., .it may be mentioned that the neighboring county of Hobson is vigorously pushing on road-metalling from Tangiteroria to the Whangarei county boundary, at the Tangihua creek, which will laave a, small break between the creek and th<; Maunu special lnan district. No doubt that break will-be filled up' in the near future by another small loan— which the Tangihua No. 2 settler.? would be responsible for—or by a Government grant. Extensive road work has also been carried on during the past summer, principally by the Public Works Department and partly by the Whangarei County Council, from Poroti to the Wairua river, from the Titoki store to the Houto road, and in a northerly direction from the J junction of the Mangakahia road towards Pakotai. Where it is desired, the settlers in the Maunu special rat- ! ing area will have the opportunity of sharing in the labor contracts.. Once the road is put iii good order, the ordinary rating will be sufficient to put the by-roads in good order and to maintain them. We think we have adduced enough reasons to convince even the most sceptical 'and reticent that they will be advantaged in many, ways by giving assent to the proposal. The polling day is fixed for Wednesday, May 17th, and there will be polling booths at Whangarei, Maungatapera, and Poroti, so that everyone may vote without inconvenience. Whe-. tlier the:"r district shall stagnate or go forward is in the hands of the ratepayers, and we have faith enough in their wisdom to believe that they will vote the right way.