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Star (Christchurch), Issue 102, 10 September 1868, Page 2

Jttdgustg frotn the speeches made at the public meeting in the Towu Hall last night, there are two main questions in which the ratepayers of Christchurch. feel an especiai interest — rates and wards. With regard to the first, it.is principally a question of amount — whether the rate shall be fourpence, sixpence, ninepence, a shilling, or anj other sum. The second question seems to hinge on the division of the rates, and to rest on the consideration whether the city can be so divided as to give each ward a fair share of rateable property. The amount of a rate must depend on the work which is necessary to be done. We say necessary, because we believe all are agreed in thinking that for tbe present the Borough Council ought to confine itself strictly to necessities, as opposed to those works which aro not absolutely required for the convenience and moderate comfort of the ratepayers. We must be content to see much thab is desirable put off till better times come, and expend the money raised, whatever it may be, on that which cannot be deferred with justice. It is, therefore, desirable to fix, first of all, on the amount of work to be done. The amount of the rate can then be measured with something approaching to accuracy. There are many reasons in favour of dividing the city into wards ; and, if the natural division adopted by the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade for the purposes of the fire alarm were followed, the four wards would each have a fair amount of rateable property. It seems to have escaped most of the speakers last night that the outlying portions of the city have a claim on the centre, based on what appear to us very equitable grounds. These outlying districts contributed to the rates at a time when very little was done for them. The centre of the city reaped most of the benefit. Now, though it is quite true that the business centres have a special claim simply because they are so, and because it ia for the convenience of all to have tbe streets in these portions well metalled, well drained, and well lighted, ifc must not be forgotten thafc most of these works have been done, and that therefore fche outlying portions ought now to claim a large share of attention, and be allowed a considerable share in fche rates — more fchan they actually contribute, because they paid rates afc

a time wben little or no return was made for them. We tbink the ratepayers ought to insist that no street within the towu belt shall reinaia unformed one moment longer tban can be avoided. A few of the candidates last night touched on the question of borrowing money It certainly sounds well to say that we will throw a portion ot the expense ou thoso who come alter ua, but we believe the ratepayers geuerallv will agree with us in thiukiug that the ordinary work of improving the streets and maintaining them ought to be done with a fair amount of rates. We are quite willing to admit, however, that this question of borrowing depends to a very great extent on the taxation which the Provincial Government may find it necessary, under the new fiaaii cial policy of tbo G-eneral Government, to impose. A shilling rate has been struck for the current year, and we think, so far as we are now able to judge, that it would be inexpedient, even if it were possible, to alter the amount. The ratepayers will best protect their interests by letting it be known that the} 1- are determined <"o have strict economy, and to insist in every case on what is necessary bofore that which may be desirable only.