The Waikato Independent Incorporating "The Cambridge Gazette." THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1923. PROPOSED BOROUGH LOANS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3073, 21 June 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Independent Incorporating "The Cambridge Gazette." THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1923. PROPOSED BOROUGH LOANS

II gives us pleasure to note lhat, at the instance of the Mayor (Mr C. H. Priestley), the Cambridge Borough

Council intends to fully consider the matter of construction of permanent roads and footpaths in the Borough, and also much-needed improvements to the water supply. The mere mention of a fifty thousand pounds loan is sufficient to raise the consternation and opposition of many people, but, as pointed out in a leading article a few weeks ago, it is quite probable that a big loan would mean an actual saving to the ratepayers. It does not concern the ratepayer whether he pays his rates in the shape of general or special rates — what really matters to him is the amount he is called upon to pay, and whether the money is being spent in such a "way as to get the best return. Thus it is quite probable that Cambridge might raise a loan of some £50,000, and yet be rated no higher—possibly less —than at present. There are four vital matters affecting the welfare of every town—water supply, drainage, good streets, and fire prevention—and Cambridge has come to a stage when, if it is to make that progress that we all hope for, and which natural conditions amply justify, we must embark on a bold, businesslike scheme for the improvement of all these four important services. Our water supply is totally inadequate. The water mains are too small, the pumping apparatus out-of-date, and the pressure not sufficient to enable the Fire Brigade to do effective fire prcvenlion work. We have a septic tank system of drainage in only a very small portion of the town. The extension of this | system is dependent on an improved water supply. Thus water and drainage —two of the first essentials to a town—need immediate attention. Either* the present water supply system must be improved by the provision of new pumping apparatus, an enlarged or new water-tower, and the putting down of

lugger water mains, or we must secure i new gravitation water supply. Recently Mr 11. Roche, C.E., was instruct-

cd to prepare a comprehensive report on the present water supply. When this report is presented we will be in :i better position to judge the true position of affairs. The Mayor now suggests that enquiries should be made into a gravitation water supply sehejno that was before the Council many years ago. If, according to Mr Roche's re-

port:, the improvements required to make the present water supply adequate and efficient will prove a very costly matter —and we fully expect this will be the case—the Council would do well to get a full report from an expert regarding the suggested gravitation scheme, and the two proposals could then be compared. One very important factor referred to by Mr Priestley is tin; fact that the present cost of pumping alone in connection with our water supply would pay the interest on a •£25,000 loan. The Council's sanitary system is also costing a sum that is' sufficient to pay the interest and sink-

ing fund on'a loan of £12,000 for drainage purposes. Willi regard to the roading matter, it is virtually a question of: the retention of the. out-of-date system of forming roads and paths that, are constantly requiring heavy expenditure for maintenance, and yet never give satis ruction, as against the putting down of permanent thoroughfares, the maintenance of which is infinitesimal in cost. In this matter, too, the Council will need to have the advice of experts before it can commit itself to any definite scheme, but the time Jias arrived when such matters should be seriously considered. Other progressive (owns have proved that permanent road-making is the cheapest in the long-run, and gives the greatest satisfaction to all. Why should not Cambridge, be among the progressive towns'? With our main streets and paths put down in permanent material, such as bitumen, the large sums now spent in maintenance would be 1 saved, and coukl be devoted towards paying the interest on the necessary loan. We trust that the Council will proceed without delay to consider these matters carefully, with a view to taking whatever action is thought necessary in the best interests of the town.