MORE ABOUT BATHS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 June 1911, Page 2

MORE ABOUT BATHS.

To the Editor. Sir,—l promised to write with reference to a letter from the Mayor (Mr Gardener, in a previous issue), on municipal baths. I deferred; till now, to see how our talented civic body would give their decision, and in a sense demonstrate their fitness for office. Your leader, and several letters on the lack of public spirit shown by the "no majority," has already anticipated .me. Suffice it to say, sir, that whether it be the prospecting of ranges, improvement of the Lake, the instituting of public rising to the occasion—nothing definite—seems to be the order of the day in the matter of Levin's progress, Of course there are things such as spiritual -and material proTress, but I never expected, the former, but I certainly did the latter, at their hands. The man in the •street seems to have a clearer view and conception of the meaning of municipal advance than our duly elected civic body appear to haveby certain results. Sir, can it be considered prudent or politic to too Hosely (as it were) look a gift horse in the month : £250 for instance. Is the old adage exploded, that in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom? Two elements in the baths question _ were present to all and sundry, viz., the subsidy and the high pressure water. As -public baths were a topic before the hills were tapped, ample time (has elapsed in the interval of then and now to have had the question of 'building and site (to use a cynical term), cut and dried. I question the locus standi of the "no majority," and between the man in the street as to what is the reason of a Large buildin rr at Porirua! A further ouestion is whether the "no majority" represented themselves or a minority of the residents. Sir. yon have' already referred to the lowering of the rate for the current year which was another favourable element, but as we are to get Mr France's explanation one defei-s further comment. But, as far as I know, tfln's ffentleman helped' the Tyne street fencing, "putting on it up; and pulling on it down again," expenses for all before; also "that he would vote for a subway at the Kawin road that would practically suit himself and a few; also the blinding with sand 'of the new metalledi portion of the road on the opposite side of the line. I have been led to a conclusion that there is not much in his apparent adaptability beyond' his own interests. lam led by experience that on the present council there are those who appear to affirm the principle of "How not to do it!" Roads and footpaths never seem to get finished, there senis to be a policy of patching and promising throughout. It would appear to mo and I pregume to others, if anything is likely to gain our approval, there must be a. reconstruction. Until a thoroughly practical man supervises the streets and paths, and selects his subordinates solely by merit, and not (as it were) birds of a feather, shall we get our thoroughfares in such a. condition to merit the appellation we give them—namely, of roads and footpaths. Every ' wet season I and mine, and l many others, trudge through the sludge (a lamp vetoed from our street) because of no continmous formed path; and we execrate the powers tfyat usurp the position they hold. Outsiders note the lack of initiative that seems to prevail with us. —Yours, etc., W.M.F.