THE HAMILTON LOAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15056, 27 July 1912, Page 6

THE HAMILTON LOAN.

Hamilton is among the towns whoso future is assured, ;. It is the local centre of a rich and progressive district and must increase in size, influence and importance as agriculture develops, as locked-up lands are brought under production and as drainage works make available areas now in swamp. To secure the best returns from its abundant oppor-' tunities, Hamilton must provide j itself with the services and facilities requisite for such growing centres, and can only do so by the businesslike process of raising a loan. As cannot be too often reiterated, loans are to be approved or condemned according to the circumstances under which they are raised and the purposes to which they are applied. In the case of the proposed Hamilton loan of £80,000, a half is assigned to the placing of roads in permanent order. Roads and streets suited to the traffic they carry are a fundamental necessity, being incomparably more economical than inadequate roads, even if we consider nothing more than the relative costs of maintenance; they give, in addition, a great saving in the wear and tear of horses and vehicles, and are commercially profitable through encouraging trade. Drainage and water are equally fundamental neces-1 sities of growing centres, being only j municipal provision for imperative | requirements. To these purposes j the Hamilton proposal devotes j £25,000, leaving £15,000 for abattoirs, j improving the town and other desir- I able work. All these purposes are ! not only desirable but advisable, and I the Hamilton ratepayers may be ex-1 pected to approve cordially of the j progressive intentions of their Council. . . . :-• !