THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1908. REJECTED!

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9169, 18 August 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1908. REJECTED!

The ratepayers —or 279 in one instance and 304 in the other —saw fit in their wisdom to reject the loan proposals submitted to them yesterday by the Borough Council. It was not hard to foresee that the drainage proposal was in for a hard [ "run," as not only has a great deal of misconception existed in the minds of many ratepayers as to the actual liability they might be committing themselves to" individually if they voted for the loan, but a small amount of self sacrifice—though truly very small —was also demanded of those resident within the special rating area. The surprise of the poll was to see that Kuripuni, an undrained and far from sanitary locality, only showed a majority of four in favour of the poll at its booth, while at the booth where it might be naturally expected a big majority would be against the loan, there was only a difference of twentyone votes on the debit side. From I

appearances, it seems that the proposal was even unpalatable to those resident in the undrained area, and on the other hand there must have been a good tally of unselfish ratepayers who believed in a sanitary town, even though at some personal sacrifice. A heavier poll would have been more satisfactory, as the issues submitted were quite important enough to warrant at least fifty per cent, of ratepayers recording their votes. The Council, in view of the small majority against the drainage loan, should not be discouraged, but should take the opponents of the scheme at their word, and when the general prospects brighten proceed to take another poll on the question. The Showgrounds scheme had an even harder prospect ahead of it than the drainage proposal, as the purchase of the grounds was not regarded as so much a matter of immediate necessity as the completion of the drainage system. There is some consolation to be derived, however, from the fact that there ia a strong likelihood of the grounds becoming a

recreation reserve in any case, as it is rumoured that a syndicate is ready to purchase the property, and if not the football authorities may acquire the fee simple. The Council need not reproach itself in connection with either proposal, as it devoted very serious consideration to both schemes, and only after having given them the fullest investigation, did it decide to proceed with the poll. VVe really think that if another poll were taken later on in respect of the drainage loan, and the position put so clearly to the ratepayers that they would have no room fiir doubts, ths loan would be sanctioned.