The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1939. Yesterday's Poll

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1939, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1939. Yesterday's Poll

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper

THE poll taken yesterday on a proposal by the Borough Council to raise a loan of £33,030 was carried by a majority of approximately two to one. The poll was a small one, but it may be fairly assumed that a larger poll would have been decided by a proportionately greater majority. The result may therefore be regarded as very satisfactory, and the burgesses are to be congratulated upon the progressive spirit indicated thereby. The purpose of the loan is •to make provision for watercourses of such ample proportions as to prevent repetition of the flooding which has taken place in the borough following upon unusually heavy downpours of rain. It is also proposed to prevent the overloading of sewers, which has constituted a menace to public health when flooding has occurred. This is a most necessary work. A further proposal is to erect new bridges and to raise the level of some existing bridges which, with obstructions that have been allowed to develop in the beds of streams, have contributed to interference with the getaway of flood waters. A comprehensive scheme, which has been approved by engineers, is to be put in hand at the earliest convenient moment, and there will be a general hope that it will accomplish all that has been claimed for it. We feel that it will do so, and that the ratepayers will have good reason to be pleased with the decision they made yesterday. The borough engineer and the Borough Council are to be congratulated upon the comprehensive scheme brought down and the effective methods adopted to secure its endorsement, which cannot but improve the standing of Whangarei as a leading provincial centre. Whangarei cannot remain static. It must either go ahead or stagnate. It is good to know that the progress which has been made during recent years is being maintained, and that development in the future promises to be on a much more impressive scale. Whangarei possesses many natural advantages, and it behoves the people to do their part to make the most of nature’s gifts. With the existence of practically all the amenities of city life, and the added attractions of peacefulness and picturesque surroundings not obtainable in a city, Whangarei must inevitably appeal to many people who have reached the stage when they wish to retire from active business life. Quite a number of that class have taken up residence here during recent years, and it is safe to predict that, with the improvement in the town’s equipment that will follow upon the installation of an effective drainage system., Whangarei will become an even more popular residential town than it has been.