LOAN FOR STREETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 169, 20 July 1939, Page 6

LOAN FOR STREETS

WANGANUI CITY PROJECT £50,000 FOR FOOTPATHS AND SEALING MOOTED Further detail has been asked for by the treasury with regard to an application for a State subsidy in the event of a £50,000 loan for street and footpath construction being raised by the Wanganui Citv Council. Some time ago the council decided that, with a view to absorbing labour under No. 13 scheme, the raising of a loan of the amount mentioned be explored. * Special Circum >tanc?s i’oss.blc “In the normal course of events tii■’ works contemplated would be the responsibility ui y~ur c-unc.i and would not be eligiole for a subsidy, the Undec-Sscrctary of the Treasury had replied. “There may, however, if special circumstances i.i Wanganu. which would justify the granting ol a small subsidy, but the Treasury is unable to indicate what assistance, i*’ any, would be available as the particulars supplied are not sufficient on which to base a decision. In any case, it would be necessary to place Ui matter before the R.. lion, tne ActingMinister of Finance, and it is request ed that further information be supplied.” The town clerk. Mr. G. Murch, has furnished the particulars asked for, advising that fbO.OOO is the amount it was suggested should be raised by way of loan, and did not include subsidy, which the council hoped would h .substantial, either in cash or b\ way of labour. No definite answer couiu be given to a question as to how many men would be employed under th scheme, except that considerable relief would be given in a general wayin linding work and absorbing a large number of men at present unemployed and others likely to be thrown out of work. Replying to a question as to whether the rates would have to be increased to meet interest and sinking lund obligations under the loan. Mr. Mui ci. has advised that the council is of opinion that if the work proposeck carried out by way ol loan the demands in the localities affected would be considerably lessened, and that woul . reduce street maintenance work. The interest and sinking fund on the proposed loan could be made Without increasing the rates. Asked by the Treasury whethei i v considers that there is a good prospect of the Joan being carried, the council has replied in the affirmative, basing its judgment on loans of a similai kind elsewhere. “Th? council has every hope that, the loan will be .sanctioned by the ratepayers,” Mr. Murer, has advised. Report Asked For Reference to street and Cootpalii sealing work was made by Cr. G. 1 . Hawkins, who asked, at a meeting of lhe council on Tuesday, that a report be tabled showing what had been clone in the various localities. He was particularly concerned with Wanganui East, he said, but wanted to Know what had been done in each district. Cr. H. Lawrence was of opinion that the older portion of the city, which had paid rates longer than any other, had been neglected. “The only way is to give the ratepayers an opportunity lo say whethei they want a loan of probably £50,000, said the Mayor (Mr. vv. J. Rogers). “We are exploring that possibility. We can only do what our finances wiil permit. We ran do ail we like and say all wc like at this table, but we have only a certain amount to spend each year and must see that that, is spent equitably. If more is to be spent, or we are to go on as we arc spreading it out a little each year, is for the ratepayers to say. They can be given an opportunity of saying whether they will sanction a loan which will do 20 miles of streets, 25 miles of footpaths, and 15 to 20 miles of. kerbing and chanelling.” The engineer was instructed to prepare the information asked lor by Cr. Hawkins. —•