THE ROSY SIDE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2687, 17 December 1909, Page 4

THE ROSY SIDE.

The Mayor’s answer to the question of cost in regard to the loan proposals is that the saving on road maintenance will furnish the hulk of the interest, whilst profits on tramways and lighting together Avith increase in Borough valuations will make up the balance. As to the saving on street maintenance we claim that the amount allowed for the actual upkeep of the roads is ridiculously small. The item “general maintenance £1500,” judging by past balance sheets, will be chiefly absorbed in administration and all that is definitely set aside is £IOOO for “shingle for patching.” While the main streets of the to\vn are being laid the community using the other thirty odd miles will have to be satisfied Avitli £IOOO for patching. This mean s that the bulk of the roads are to be entirely neglected during the years that the work of construction is going on. The estimates for maintenance after the first five years are based on the assumption that the completed road will be a permanent work needing comparatively little attention.Y We invite any ratepayer to look up in the schedule of works tlie- amount set aside for the road in Avhich he lives and after discussion with a competent engineer we predict that he will realise that double the expenditure Avill not (provide what the Mayor promises. This is a matter that we Avould recommend the individual ratepayer to investigate for himself. The alleged profits on tramways and lighting are purely speculative items, and the same remarks apply to the increase in the value of the Borough. words, if the saving on road f maintenance is not what the Mayor predicts, if the tramways and lighting do not show a profit, and if the ratable value of the Borough is not increased by £IOO,OOO per year, the estimates of His Worship are as a pricked bd'bble. We are ftot opposing the much sought for improvements, but avb do protest against misrepresentation,

•wilful or otherwise, and the people must make up their minds before they sanction the loan that -s sure as th.-V sun rises they will have to foot the bill. All the endless flow of v.••ids from the Mayor and liis supporters will have not the slightest effect'on jthe London money-lender. He will want his interest and sinking fund every year, and the Gisborne people will have to find it. It is because of the seriousness of the position that we demand on behalf of each ratepayer the right which is hi s according to every precept of democracy; according to every axiom of justice, that he should he given a-free and untramelled opportunity to vote on each of these loan proposals before he is compelled to pay the taxation they will involve.