A PROGRESSIVE MOVE.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXIV, Issue 4252, 5 March 1921, Page 3

A PROGRESSIVE MOVE.

We congratulate the Southbridge Town" Board upon the progressive spirit which has prompted it to go in for the asphalting of some further lengths of footpaths. -The paths to receive attention are those in Hastings street (leading 'to the school) and Taumutu road ' (from the hotel corner to the tennis ground coiner). It has always been our opinion that money spent in asphalting footpaths is an excellent investment. Apart from the comfort afforded to those who use the paths and the saving effected in cost of maintenance, asphalt paths tend to create a favourable impression in the minds of visitors to a township. This is a consideration that no township can well afford to ignore. A place that gives the visitor the impression, that it is inhabited: by progressive people always stands'a greater chance oi ": drawing population than a towr that has a neglected appearance Tlie two footpaths mentioned ai'( much used by the public and hav< been badly in need of attention foi years past. It is to be regrette( that the cement shortage is s< acute that the board cannot hav< channelling and kerbing laid a » the same time in Hastings street This'may be possible-before ver; long. The channelling is neede< to make a finished job. We hop

: that the board wili see to it that $ the asphalt is put down in a worki- manlike manner, so that the chan- ; nel can be put in with, a minimum :of trouble when the time is opportune. We are in agreement • with Mr Free, the chairman of the > board, in his contention that these > permanent improvements should be made out of loan moneys. We do not consider it to be good finance to carry out works of this nature out of the ordinary rates. As a rule it means neglecting , road . maintenance, which is a grievoiis mistake: However, we hope it will not occasion any neglect in the present. case. Of course money and materials are too dear at the present time to warrant a public body raising loans for anything but very urgent works, but the ide a of a loan should be kept in view by the Town Board. The laying of a mile or two of concrete channel would save the board much expense in regard to race cleaning, while asphalt paths are always greatly appreciated by the ratepayers who, as a rule, do not mind footing the bill.