THE PROPOSED NEW LOAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3373, 13 November 1911, Page 5

THE PROPOSED NEW LOAN.

WOULD IT PROVE A BURDEN 7

IMPORTANT REMARKS BY’ THE

MAYOR

Some important remarks with reference to the new loan, proposals were made by the Mayor (Mr W. Pettie) m the course of a chat with a “Gisborne Times” representative orr Saturday evening. Asked whether, it was likely the whole of the moneys would be raised at once if the ratepayers approved of the proposals, Mr Pettie said_ the loan as a whole might' be authorised at the one time, but the moneys could be obtained as they were wanted.

Continuing, Mr Pettie remarked that it was impossible at the present time to say whether the programme would be submitted to the ratepayers in its entirety for immediate approval. The completion of the water supply works and the sewerage works were no doubt the most urgent. The whole matter was one that would receive very careful consideration at the hands of the Council in the first place. Could the town afford to go in for such a heavy, additional expenditure at the present timejLwas the next question put to the Mayor. The Mayor replied that lie thought so. As he had just remarked, some of the money would not be needed for some considerable time: He took it that the different amounts for the different works would be put separately to the ratepayers. The present proposals would of course be liable to alteration and revision. When they began important works such as the sewerage and the completion of the water supply scheme they would have te carry them through. The burden would not be .-o very great seeing tlie population was increasing so rapidly, for it would mean distribution- among a much larger number.

Replying to a further query, Mr Pettie said: that he would not say Mr Metcalfe was instructed to advise the Council as to the least possible amount needed! to put these works on a satisfactory footing. He could hardly say it was put to Mr Metcalfe that way. There might be other reports which tlie Council would require from Mr Metcalfe.. He was the consulting engineer to the Council till the .end of the year, and the Council might have to refer some questions back to. him. It would have been seen that Mr Metcalfe had already modified his proposals for the completion of the water supply service.