LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4493, 17 November 1922, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

RIDINGS DISAFFECTION.

gi r _“A Balkan Rtesident’s" reply tp my letter of October 20 dpes not better his position in regard tp statements made by him in a previous issue. In fact, he has refuted none of my contentions. I thank him for the information “that one of our riding members was so dissatisfied with the progress shown by the county workmen on this formation (Wilson’s Road) that he got the county chairman to come and see for himself wihat was going on.” If he is blaming the engineer, Mr Dillon, for the condition of affairs existing at that time, then, as far as I am concerned, he has the fie'd to himself. We have another engineer, who. is at least dependable. He objects to money being drawn from the general fund for the benefit of ridings which do not pay a general rate. Friend, all ridings pay a general rate, and no riding has a privilege such as ypu mention. A strict account is kept of all ridings expenditure, and all have to live within their rate returns now. In the past each riding had its own overdraft and' was in matters of finance independent of its fellows. Regarding the five bridges mentioned by me in the Patetonga riding, the total cost of these, on an engineer’s estimate, approximates £12,00’0. That is the. equivalent of Kirikirj. We understand that two of that number —Ngarua and Tramway—will be built by the Lands Departmeht, thus reducing the total, by £3OOO. It* is’ understood that Netherfon requires a bridge at Hikutaia. The reclamation scheme of the Lands Department provides for a canal from Patetonga to Paeroa. At certain points within the Nethcrton riding this navigabte waterway require to be bridged. “A Balkan Resident” is mistaken if he thinks Patetonga want outlet bridges tp Thames. The outlet we desire is’ to Paeroa via the tramway bridge. The Piako River serves to Thames. It is reasonable to sky that if the Council’s bridge policy provides for our requirements we should consider those who are prepared to foot our bill of costs. I certainly would not favour making the Waihpu River Improvement Scheme a charge upon the general fund, as certain large areas ’within this country will receive hp benefit therefrom. “S-WM, Turua, writes upon the subject also. I have pleasure in advising him that I have not been delegated by the Hauraki Plains Council to write in its defence. Not one councillor was aware that I intended ’to do so. I simply replied to “A Balkan Resident’s” questions, which were addressed to me personally through the press. S'.W.M. says T have not thoroughly acquainted myself with the facts connected with Turua. I have. I know of their aspirations and am aware of their needs. Whilst I credit them with commonsense in a hustling road policy I do not admire the progressiveness that takes account of roads only. He states that the overhead changes for the Plains County are “greater per ratio than any other county of a similar rating Value.” Possibly he will, be reassured to learn that in New Zealand there are thirty-seven counties whose overhead charges are greater than ours.

• The Puriri bridge scheme was killed because the vast majority of Hauraki Plains ratepayers affected by the bridge petitioned the Cqunpil to refuse to sanction the project./ Perhaps it is only stunned. Now that bridges are the concern of the county that venture can be revived. Re T, Vowles' remarks. He says I have the clerk to go to for figures, and asks that I give a detailed account of money spent- on Wilson’s Road. T say that one issue of this paper would not contain the information required. He con go to the clerk himself and verify this. No records will.be withheld. I know Tor a fact that payment was withheld oh' the stumping contract and the contractor had to return and' remove certain stumps that he left in Wilson’s Road, sb that the ratepayers’ money was' not spent for the benefit of the contractor. T. Vow.les stated that the late enghieer was authorised by the Hauraki Plains Council to Jet a tender, for carting metal on to the ten chains of road, and refused because the road would not stand the weight over it. This is quite incorrect. When the business in question was under discussion Mr Dillon’s' resignation was in, and as he was due to leave before the matter could be finally dealt with it was handed to the chairman and Cr, Death to finish. Mir Dillon favoured .the purchase pf the metal, and could hardly refuse to entertain its delivery over the only route available.

The matter of by-laws has been frequently deferred by the Council on account of expense. The cost would be in the vicinity of £3OO Most of the adverse criticism of the Council is based on incorrect information. Quite recently one gentleman stated that the Council had to pay demurrage on the motor roller which was stored at the railway yards, apd interest on the purchase price whilst it had never been used. Now, the •Council was never under a legal obligation to purchase any machinery other than that at the Hikutaia quarry, and the contract to purchase was not ratified until after the machinery loan was carried. Regarding the roller, up to within four pipnths ago ho interest was due on it, or will be paid on account prior to that, and no demurrage, either. Further, Booth, McDonald, and Co. Will repaint the roller and deliver it into the county when the Council, requires it. It is a great pity that those ratepayers who were dissatisfied with the management of works in their ridings did not deal with 'he matters as they occurred. Then, if there was cause for complaint, the onus Was on the Council to reform. Their obligation to the ratepayers is to administer their public works gratis and in a capable manner, and the ratepayers are entitled to complain—in a reasonable way—if this js not done. I think this question has been dealt with at sufficient length;. We

could continue the discussion Indefinitely and get nowhere. " Before this appears in print Nethertoh, will have elected a new representative, who will be in a position to give all .necessary information concerning Wilson’s Road and other matters. I feel sure that in a short time Netherton and Turua ratepayers will see things in a different light and realise that the Council has striven to advance their interests honestly and is’ not deserving of the censure ■so lavishly heaped upon it. Patetpnga, J. F. MAYN.