MUNICIPALITY OF ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 324, 10 July 1868, Page 3

MUNICIPALITY OF ALEXANDRA.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE “DUXSTAN TIMES 1 ’) Sir, —-As the time is now drawing nigh for the annual election of a Mayor, and also of two Councillors, who retire by rotation, I think it is high time the Ratepayers were bestirring themselves in the matter of securing elegable persons to fill the vacant civil offices. It is necessary also that Ratepayers should bestow a glimpse over the past, and consider what the late Council has done for them. I believe all the money retired in the shape of Rates and Government subsidy is well nigh spent; but what have we in return? The main street has been curbed and channelled, and footways made; an unsightly iron building, designated a Town Hall and Libary. has been erected; and including the removal of a few old broken glass bottles from the “back slums” that is all the ratepayers have got for their money. No provision whatever has been made for any public convenience, or for the ultimate saving of the money of the citizens. The water carts still pursue their jog trot I rounds and dole out a stinted supply of | muddy water, at the rate of ss. per week to ! housekeepers, while many' actually pay more. Thera are two largo water-races running near the town, at a sufficient elevation that, were a pipe laid on from either, there would bo pressure [sufficient, in case of lira, to throw water over the highest I building in Alexandra. It was generally understood that the ■ Council would have taken some action to j have procured a reduction in the enormous | rates charged by the proprietors of the i punt at the crossing place on the Moly- j uaux, but nothing whatever has been done, and the public continue still to he heavily mulcted. The hours during which people are permitted to cross are also very inconvenient. Between G a.m. audlOp.m and midnight on Saturdays, is not enough especially at this season of the year, when the beaches at Frenchman’s and Butcher’s Points are at work, and when a considerable number of men are employed working night and day. The sum charged for crossing is 4s. per week, amounting to £lO Ss. per year; a nice sum to come out of the pocket of a working man just to enable him to reach his work, This is tantamount to an increase of wages, and virtually comes out of the pockets of the claim-holders. For crossing the Mamihorikia River at Leslie’s punt only half those rates arc charged. •Surely both punts could work alike. Until the rates of passage are reduced, the new lino of road now making to the Teviot is practically useless, as no one will travel upon it. The imbecility of the Government in allowing the crossing places of the rivers to get into private hands, without any reservations to protect the public is something contemptablo; but, at the same time, it is certainly tire duty of local bodies to redress abuses, or where is their utility, without which the dignity of a Mayor and Councillors is a mere theatrical farce. We have an Inspector of Nuisances, at a salary of £2O per annum, for doing what it is difficult to say. This is equivalent to a charge of five shillings per year upon every ratepayer, just for some person to see that his (the ratepayer's) dust hole is kept clean. I am ike. RATEPAYER. Alexandra, July 8. 18(18.

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