The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1911. THE BOROUGH YEAR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14416, 11 April 1911, Page 4

The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1911. THE BOROUGH YEAR.

The financial statement included in the 'comprehensive report on the year's work which the Mayor submitted at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening l discloses, on the whole, a satisfactory' position. The borough's overdraft on the General Account at the conclusion of the municipal year stands at £9!.)IG Os Od, an apparent increase of-£'sooo on the overdraft of twelve months ago. The difference between the two amounts, however, is almost entirely accounted for by an advance of £1317 Gs 4<l to Drainage Loan Account, which will be repaid this iweek. and the amount of £1458 IDs 5d paid for the Oullinami Street section and a portion of the 'North End park, for which, therefore, additional assets can be shown. Excluding l land mtrchased, the net debt of the borough is now £1358 8s lOd, as against £1459 5s 8d at the close of the previous year, a slight reduction which, as the Mayor claims, is very satisfactory considering the increased expenditure in the new area. A careful policy will, however, be advisable for the future. Those whoso duty it will be to elect a new Mayor and Council shortly should take care that their names arc on the roll, and that their votes are cast for men of experience, prudence, and sagacity, who will know how to promote the safe progressivencss of the borough. It is pleasing to have Mr Craigie's renewed assurance that the. extensive drainage, street improvement and other works on which a poll will be taken in a few days' time.can be carried out without the necessity for adding to the rates. The extra sum required io meet the interest on the loans for these proposals will be sufficiently provided, he computes, from ordinary rates from the enlarged borough and other sources. As the valuation of the borough increases with tlie erection of new buildings, further revenue will be ufloi-ded. ami Mr Craigie states ilia), unless future Councils undertake new loans, he dues not see why the |iates should mil be reduced in ! say two years time. That is an

•bjc'(-i iii he aimed at, otherwise tlic im-iviifii? in vai'iaiion.H amounts to the same lliiiifi' as an increase

I ill rates, so fitr as ratepayers' pockets are concerned. 'Wo have , before expressed our warm, en- | dorseinent of the main objects for .which, it is proposed to raise new I loans .fit present, namely, tho ex- ( tension of the drainage system to tho outer area, and street improvements in the extended borough, and we ho]ie that on tho 19th inst., when ratepayers will be requii-ed to vote on these proposals, they will turn out in strong; force and take good eare that they nre carried. New inunioipal buildings, for which it in proposed to raise a loan of .£4OOO, are also to be desired, but; if they are to be erected on the George street .site, the plans should be prepared so that that site will not be rendered useless tor oilier purposes. Important additions to the waterworks have been commenced this year, and it is clear that these are proceedinn' satisfactorily. . The new drainage and sewerage works ..have also been carried out to date in a manner which .merits.full approval. The■■ majority of. ratepayers will agree wilh the Mayor's conclusion that trams 'have .become a pressing need for Tirnaru, and no doubt the Council' soon to be elected will give the .fullest consideration to all the information that can be collected as regards the advantages of rival systems, and the financial prospects of these. if the effect ot its investigations should bear out the belief of Mr Craigie that an up-to-date system could probably be installed for £50,000, and that it might be self-rapporting/ after the first; ysar, we tliiulc that the ratepayers v.'ould bo ready to su™>ort a tramways loan w.ithout further delay. Mr Craigie's estimate, however, is evidently put forward on \ery general data, nuci ilia formation of Wanpaiiui, ■ wiiq-'s experience lie quotes, is pVaUably much better adapted to an efficient tramway service at low cost than is , that of Tirnaru, with its widespread residential area. The whole matter requires to be gone into very carefully, but it should be gone into without delay. The * Mayor is to be thanked for the • very full aufl clear report which , he produced last night upon the . borough's undertakings and fini anees during a most imporrcint year, and both Mayor and f.'oun--1 cillors for the unselfish services , which they have given to the borough.