TAKAPUNA PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19633, 11 May 1927, Page 14

TAKAPUNA PROSPECTS.

RENEWED DEMAND FOR LAND

POSITION REGARDING RATES.

INCREASE CERTAIN THIS YEAR.

One result of the recent; municipal election at Takapuna was that the demand for land in Takapuna had been renewed, said Mr. A. M. Gould, a member of the new Borough Council, at a meeting of the Mil ford Progressive Association last evening. In one day he had met in Queen Street two land agents who had informed him that after a long interval of quietude they had again received inquiries for land in the district and he had had the happy experience of an inquiry for property of his own. Omi could now hear of sales of property which until lately had been hanging fire. It seemed as though the election had led to a re-affirmation of confidence in the progress of the borough. Some insight into the financial position of the borough was given by Mr. Gould, who first asked the ratepayers to refrain from expecting miracles from the new council., because it was taking office at a very difficult time. From the commitments it had taken over from its predecessors it was absolutely unavoidable that the rates must increase from the 26s per £IOO levied last year to 33s this year. The council would be driven to cut' down its loan expenditure, It seemed to him the limit of loan outlay for the present year was not more than £25,000 or £30,000, otherwise there would be a further increase in the rates next year. It would not be possible to reduce the rates even next year, but if the council guarded the public funds wisely and kept its expenditure within the limit of the increased rate-revenue from new buildings, it might bo possible to secure a small reduction in the third year from now. Mr. Gould said that notwithstanding these facts, he had no fear of the future of Takapuna, because the new council was fully alive to the danger of overspending. There would have to be a loan proposal this year for the spanning of the three gaps in the concrete roads, otherwise the maintenance of these portions would bo a severe drain upon the funds available for street maintenance. With regard to the unemployment problem, he would favour a small unemployment loan, to be spent upon necessary works, well spread over the borough, and not spent in the purchase of materials.