FINGERPOSTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4332, 19 October 1921, Page 2

FINGERPOSTS.

Sir, —The reports given by you of the Borough. Council meetings often make interesting reading, if only to show how many insular and lacking in true public spirit our Councillors really are.

From your reports on Monday one could easily see that council matters are often more a matter of personal interest than of public good. A very sane request from the Chamber of Commerce was placed before the Council, which was to the effect that, the placing of fingerposts for the public good be completed by that very necessary one at the corner of Ndrmanby Road and the street commonly known as Thames Road. The present position is that the poor motorist whose cost in mileage is a very serious thfng is taken an half a mile out of his way so that he may inspect and taste the effluvia of thos;e very drains in Station Road that would shame the dirtiest village in one of the most uncivilised countries in >the world. The request was turned down because it was thought desirable.'to bring alt traffic' through the main road, an.l -thus past Councillors’ shops. We wonder), sometimes, why it is that Paeroa is the laughing stock/pf the north of tthis North Island. The whole reason is to be found in the narrow, insular, selfish, silly policy of considering personal welfare first, of which our Councillors have just .given us an instance. The people of Paerba, if logical, would see that, this must be reflected'in things local, as well as general, and that their welfare in the -town is subordinate t.o the welfare of councillors who either have an axe to grind or a road to mend. Perhaps now that the Borough “Fathers” have turned down this goo.l suggestion one of the business places on that corner might show a little public spirit and a little business acumen combined by getting a sign written with the legend and necessary pointers : “This way to Thames, and this way to get a goo.d dinner,” or 'to get good value by small profit.” Or, again, perhaps, the Beautifying and Improvement Society might show how they improve on Borough policy by a sign-post for the public good.

PRO BONO PUBLICO. ,