OPUNAKE TIMES “Speaks for the District.” TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1938. PRUDENT POLICY

Opunake Times, 10 May 1938, Page 2

OPUNAKE TIMES “Speaks for the District.” TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1938. PRUDENT POLICY

Silencing effectively the critical comme.nt which was evoked when first the proposal for the establishment, of a borough in Opunake was mooted, but which has faded somewhat into the background sine© that, object was attained, the annual report of the Mayor, Mr. A. J. Brennan,

presented last week is an encouraging - record of the work performed by the council in its first year qf office- Hand in hand with the business progress of this centre, civic advancement proceeds at a rate which is most gratifying to those who- placed their confidence, in the elected administrators of the town, and none will deny that the change has effected nothing but benefit.

With the' same prudence and enterprise, as characterised its first year of administration, the council faces the second part of four-year term, and the announcement of its policy will be bailed generally with praise and full approval. To some extent, the improvements, it introduced last year have exceeded in cost the. resources at the disposal of the council, and it has wisely decided to call a temporary halt in •he programme of new works in order that the deficit of some £3OO may be wiped off. Indeed, it will not be until the .accounts are closed in March, 1939, that the debt will disappear, and against that time the council will prepare another policy of

improvement. Doubtless, there were those who anticipated with enthusiasm many improvements under the council’s administration and it is not to be questioned that there are desirable works to be undertaken for the betterment of the town. However, the cost, must Jbe counted, and the council is wise In refraining from further expenditure until it has cleared itself of the liability incurred in the discharge of the heavy pro gramme to which it committed itself last year. Only by increasing the rate from its present low level could the council follow such a policy, and this would ho a proposal fated to earn public disfavour.

The town hall question also has. been approached cautiously, and the council is making very sure, of its ground before proceeding to so definite a stage as to seek the approval of the ratepayers. While it is_. recognised that further may produce still greater increases in building costs, the council se.es the

folly of too much haste, and it can he taken for granted that the proposal, when it is finally prepared, will be no half-baked scheme, hut a sound, acceptable proposition, based upon fact.