BOROUGH FINANCE.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1179, 8 December 1921, Page 5

BOROUGH FINANCE.

ECONOMISING IN UNNECESSARY WORKS. WATER SUPPLY LOAN PROJECTED. At Monday night’s meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council the works committee recommended that the Council order the necessary supply of tar for footpath sanding and tarring. The point of economy was raised by Cr Downes. He said the time had come when the Council must seriously consider the advisability of reviewing what had in the past been deemed customary and necessary expenditure. It all depended what was necessary in the new conditions. A start on these lines could not be made too soon.

The Mayor agreed with Cr Downes. The Council must watch every penny. The exepnditure under discussion (repair of crossings and sanding of footpaths) came under the head of expenditure wlfich might, or might not, be deemed to be necessary under curtailed finance.

The clerk read a statement of the borough’s position, and presented a statement dealing with the rates, which showed that the total amount for the period was £6374 15s sd, collected £3421 2s 4d, outstanding £2692 13s Id. This must be held fairly satisfactory, as most of the outstanding rates were from those whose promise to pay could be relie'd upon to be made good very shortly. The time had now come when the needs of the water supply must be attended to. There were many houses going up, and they must be supplied. To supply water for these and to lay mains where required would cost some £15,000. Perhaps, as the money market was now becoming easier, this could be faced. Cr Spinley said that the revenue from water was now paying interest on the proposed installation in some streets. .

The Mayor said that if a loan of £15.000 were secured it would be a sound policy, even though only £SOOO were expended for a £tart, Cr Downes said £15,000 was too little. In the past too little had been raised for growing works. He suggested going for a £20,000 loan. They might be faced with an expensive repair work at the intake, and in any case a loan slightly in excess of present requirements would be a good policy, as the town was growing rapidly.

The Mayor said the foreman assured them that no great expenditure should be made at .the present headworks, which should be moved. This work would cost a considerable sum in itself. It would be wise in any event to sound the money market N in anticipation.

Cr Olfphant said they had a report before them on building which showed that £26,000 odd had been spent in that way since April. This indicated the growth of the town and the need to keep pace with the water requirements. He moved that the market be investigated as r suggested in regard to a loan adequate to the probable demands of the water supply. Cr Downes seconded the motion, which was carried, and it was eventually decided that the Mayor visit Wellington to interview the departments concerned with a view to raising a water supply loan of £25,000.

A councillor remarked that some preference should be given growing towns such as' Te Awamutu in such loans compared with towns which had already reached their maximum probable growth. The foreman (Mr I. Owsley) supplied an estimate of the water mains extensions required, as follows: Mandeno Street from Kihikihi Road, 14 chains; Raikes Avenue from Kihikihi Road, 10 chains; Carlton 'Street from Sloane Street, 211 chains; Young St. from Puniu Road to Brady Street, 20 chains; Braemar and Fraser Streets, 25 chains; Park Road to boundary of borough, 10 chains; Cemetery Road to boundary, 45 chains; Hairini Road from cemetery to boundary, 45 chains; Mangapiko . Street from Mutu Street to Tawhaio Street, 27 chains; Tawhaio Street from Mahoe Street to boundary, 12 chains; Goodfellow and Laurie Sts., 35 chains; Raeburn Street, 12 chains; Bond’s Road to Middlebrook’s stable, 10 chains; Jackson Street from Brady Street, 17 chains; George Street from Arawata Street to Park Road, 18 chains; Ohaupo Road to boundary, 40 chains; Kihikihi Road to boundary, 44 chains; Redoubt Street, 8 chains; Palmer Street and Herbert Street, 40 chains; total, 5 miles 53 chains. An estimate ,on prices two months ago, ran out at £22 per chain, a total of £9966.