CITY EXPENDITURE.

Evening Star, Issue 3352, 17 November 1873, Page 3

CITY EXPENDITURE.

To the Editor. Sir. —I wish to join our worthy Mayor and Councillors Kamsay and Walter in their protest against the expenditure of L 1,900 fp.r altering the gradient of High street for a short distance above Melville street; the end tp be gained ifl by no ipeano a public good,

and I fail to conceive on what grounds Councillor Prosser carried his motion. As the street is already formed to its proper level, is curbed, channelled, and asphalted, [ cannot see the necessity for reforming this particular part, and more particularly at so great an outlay of public funds. Perhnps the Council will excuse my reminding thorn that the street comes to an abrupt terminus at the top, and that the traffic does not and never will exceed a grocer’s and baker’s cart; < f course I must not omit Mr Prosser’s own carriage. On inquiry I find that Grant street will be left up on a bank 9ft, Gin. above the proposed altered level, and, sir, it is apparent that the property owners in that street will suffer very materially ; and it will also reflect on the Council, as the assessments would naturally be reduced if the property is allowed to suffer, and 1 hereby call upon those interested to take immediate legal steps to prevent such an iniquitous expenditure. When the Council decided to borrow money for City improvements, I with many others thought that it was for actual necessities, and not for altering gradients to benefit a few. Mr Prosser, at the time of his election, took credit to himself for getting the price of gas reduced ; but now the citizens, through Mr Prosser’s motion, will have the pleasure of paying an extra 4d in the pound next year, and no doubt feel very grateful, and give Air Prosser full credit,—l am, &c., Citizen Georoe. Dunedin, November 14.