SOUTH INVERCARGILL

Southland Times, Issue 19279, 25 June 1924, Page 4

SOUTH INVERCARGILL

During the lull in South Invercargill it is comforting and hopeful to read the statement by the Mayor at the statutory meeting on the finance position of the borough, and the work carried out during the past year. The recovery of the deficit with which the last year opened is an excellent achievement, and it is accompanied by the claim that the borough’s roads were the best in Southland. Invercargill people may be jealous of this claim, but until they themselves set about road construction with earnestness they cannot challenge South Invercargill or the residents of any district in the province. The improvement of the finances in South Invercargill reflects credit on the Mayor and his co-administrators, who will undoubtedly evoke applause from the ratepayers by the proposal to reduce the general rate. It is possible, of course, that this reduction may be offset to some extent by loan proposals for street lighting, but the position to-day is distinctly promising. The Mayor quakes a point of the disinclination of the burgesses to accept an amalgamation with Invercargill, and doubtless he has gauged aright the attitude of a large section of the people in the borough, but it must be remembered that proximity to Invercargill makes possible some of the public utilities enjoyed by the southern municipality, and that it will not be long before amalgamation will be necessary in the interests of both boroughs. In this statement the Mayor touched on some of the difficulties met with in the conduct of the Council business, and we would like to think that we have heard the last of the personal recriminations that have been a feature of the Council’s deliberations for some time. Disputes and discussions are inevitable, but there is no reason why “party” tactics should be revived. The year, in spite of many tempests, seems to have been marked by careful administration, and it is pleasing to note that the Town Clerk came in for a share of the congratulatory references.