TIME TO CALL A HALT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3301, 21 August 1911, Page 9

TIME TO CALL A HALT.

[TO THE EDITOR.]

Sir, —Ratepayers will, I am sure, feel the deepest sympathy with lVir. Lye!nar in his enforced retirement from the office of Mayor, and will concur with your remarks as to the ability and other qualities exhibited by him in that office. However, it seems to be a very opportune occasion for the Council to “call a halt” in the programme of expenditure of loan money. The occasion is very much like “the parting of the ways.” The Council should review the whole scheme of expenditure, and the absolute certainty l of having to borrow very largely if their scheme is to he carried through with the rush of the past twelve months. I say it would be w r ise to “call a halt” and review the whole scheme, in the light of wliat tlie public need, and what the public are able to pay, and the burden the public are able to bear. In the absence of definite statistics, the loan of £175,000 ivill most likely be spent within twelve or eighteen months, and the works undertaken not three parts finished. Then the ratepayers will have the full burden of £250,000, including waterworks loan, upon their shoulders, and another loan in front of them of £IOO,OOO, making £350,000. With these facts before us, w r e do well to ask how are we to meet the charges ? The interest and incidentals attendant upon such would be about £17,500, or two or three thousand pounds more than our present collectable rates. So surely it would be reasonable to expect the Council to review the whole scheme, with the object in view of finishing those essentially necessary works entered upon, viz., completion of the waterworks, sewage, and street improvements, using, it necessary, the whole of the present loan money. As regards other works entered upon, these should he deferred, rather than borrow further for what can he done without for years to come. Much can he said, in favor of curtailment of proposed works, even although entered upon, especially when their completion will certainly necessitate more borrowing, and those works probably resulting in loss. —X am, etc., “CAUTION.”