NORTHCOTE LOAN PROPOSALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19413, 23 August 1926, Page 6

NORTHCOTE LOAN PROPOSALS.

Sir, —In reply to R.E.M.E. I wish to say that I have a very substantial interest in' the borough and a sincere desire (or its progress and welfare, but fund that during the last two years property has seriously depreciated m value through increasing rates, the proposed loan will further increase rates and intensify the present stagnancy. The council is to blame for the present state of the main road. For five years it hss done nothing permanent on it. though for the past 18 months neazlv £SOO worth of metal has been lying within 50 yards of it. Within the: past six months £9OO has been spent between Clarence Street and the memorial, and now the proposalis to , pull it up., again. What can ]j«? expected from such a system? I repeat that the concrete proposals will principally benefit outsiders. There is a very large area of leasehold land from which the council does not or cannot collect rates; which will specially benefit and, of course, other owners, too, in the vicinity will he pleased" to .subdivide, sell and get but if the ratepayers will spend £60.000. R.E.M.E. admits present stagaation, which the loan, if carried, will certainly increase. Further, the council is now called upon to defend claims for compensation of £5492. the result of which is anxiously awaited; also, a combined borough loan for water is coining in the very near future, all this on the top of" recent drainage, connection expenses. ! Norihcote has a revenue of £15,000. Birkenhead, with a revenue of £7455, has good roads, paths, plant and surroundings.. with a very milch heavier' traffc, yet can get along handsomely without concrete on a 6^d' rate. This must make people begin to think why we should not do as well on a 9£d rate. Anxious Resident.