MUMICIPAL MATTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 11022, 13 September 1897, Page 2

MUMICIPAL MATTERS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — In the columns of your issue of the Bth inst., appears a paragraph — a copy of which appears below — which I read with iutonse interest. I think its appearance at the present time— while our city fathers are discussing the subject of the ways and means of carrying on certain public works -is very opportune, and I do hope it, with other information on the subject which I shall impart in this letter, will have the effect of causing them to endeavour to do all they can to find out how such a desirable result indicated was attained, and that they strive for a similar benefit for the ratepayers of New Plymouth. Copy of paragraph referred to :—

"Commencing from the presentyear, the municipal authorities of Glasgow have ceased to levy rates, having ascertained that the entire expenses of the city would be met ont of the income derived from the public works owned by tho city. The city owns the street railways, gas and electric light plants, waterworks, sewage farms, tenement houses, and other institutions, all of which are paying large sums into the city's treasury." Surely this graDd state of municipal matters in Glasgow is a grand object lesson and worthy of the most earnest Btudy on the part of oar city fathers and the general body of ratepayers. Does it not demonstrate that the public ownership of all means of production and transport can and doos work out for the benefit of the whole country, while private ownership with its correlative, competition for private gain, curses a vast majority of the human race. The following extract taken from the Glasgow Herald of August 18th, 1894, will convey the information pioinised above, and at the same time will, I think, to a large extent, explain how Glasgow has obtained the enviable notoriety she is credited with. I give the extract in the form in whioh it is printed :—

Bank of England Loan. — Lends* £250,000 to the City of Glasgow. Engraved on the face of cheques made for the purpose of the loan were the words "For the common good of Glasgow." After the Bank of England had engaged to do this for Glasgow, the Scotch banks offered money on the same terms, previou?ly quoting 2£ and 2J. In conclusion I would again urge the above facts upon the minds of those who are appointed to positions of authority as well as to the general body of ratepayers, and I do trust that no private concerns or self interest will be allowed to stand in the way of doing, observing, and following that course which will enl at that equitable goal described in the words on the face of the Bank of England loan cheques "For tha common good of Glasgow." lam, &c,

Thos. G. Leech. [Unfortunately for the moral our correspondent wishes to teach, there is, we have reason now to believe, no truth ia the statement that the Glasgow municipal authorities have ceased to levy rates. An official contradiction of the paragraph quoted has been, we understand, published, though we have not yet seen it. — Ed. T.H.J

INGLEWOOD. [PROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT^ A meeting of subscribers to the Inglewood Library was held on tha evening of the 9th inst. for the purpose of bringing the library under The Public Libraries Act, 1857. By this Act it appears that $eu subscribers, including the five committee men, mmt sign a declaration, which will have to be registered. There wore eleven persons present, and Mr H. Brown, M.H.R., occupied the chair. Thosa registered names will be the trustees until the next annual election.

Complaints have he.en made of the narrowness of tb.e approach to the north of the railway station for foot passengers and vehicles, and it is understood that the Railway Department would do half the work if the Town Boaid did 4he other half.

A children's plain and fancy dress ball was held on Thursday evening in the Parish Hall under the auspices of the Hall Committee. The hall was prettily got up for the occasion, and a capita*! supper was laid on tables on the large ! stage. Th 3 musio was supplied by Mr H. Carstea (piano) and Mr B. Ellis (\ iolin .) Thosa present, to far as 1 could ascertain, were, Masters Davies (8), sailor boyß ; Misses Curtia (!}), dressed in white; Miss H»\vJ(st, Penelopa; Miss Davies^ OpUoen Bawn ; Miss Nichol, Inglewoad Record ; Miss Deverell, But- ! teroup ; ' Miss Clara Ryan, Summer ; Master Ryan, Sea Captain ; Miss Fanny Newland, 80-Peep : Miss Dally Newlaud, Red Riding Hood ; Miss McKay, J .Autumn; Mias Annie Pearn, Winter; Mrs O. O. Smith, handsome evening dress; Mrs R, H. Davies, handsome eveuing dress j Miss Ruth Newland, J.apaneao lady ; Master Julian, shop-girl; Miaa Ethel Brown, Spring : Messrs Edward Turner, G. Cook, and H. Johnson, evening dress ; J. Turner and Newitt, cyclists. Mr O. O. Smith performed the du'ies of M.C. to the satis faction of all. The Rev C. W. Robinson and Mrs Robinson wero present, and took great pleasure at seeing the youngsters enjoying themselves.