KUMEU LOAN.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 November 1911, Page 3

KUMEU LOAN.

To The Editor.

S.ir, —l noticed several letter?, in reply to" my previous letter. Mr Tay^ Tor's first on the list, states that he held meetings at Woodhill and Waimauku, also that he held a special meeting at Waimauku to give me an opportunity of hearinp his side of the question. The first two meetings I heard of after they were over, and the special meeting I heard of "by chance, and. not thiurogh. Mr Taylor, for he had not gone to the trouble of notifying the district, although Ave have a post office and a station. He also states that I have been misrepresentiug the Loan, but does not say liovr, perhaps it was the 30-year-old practically new patched bridge.

The Waimauku bridge referred to, Mr Taylor informed us, is the one his Dad built, with thp exception cf flight repai.is, two stringers, two piles, and some planking; questioned as to cost, he stated £100, which would have been considered a fair price for a 40ft. span eight or ten years ago. Repairs took place eight or ten years ago. However, to be ce/rtain. I have inspected the bridge, and find that the whole structure was rebuilt with the exception of four heavy totara piles; the stringers aro hardwood, I would guarantee the bridge with ordinary repairs for another 15 or 20 years.

Mr Taylor promises no increase of

rates. Just a few figures to show our position; our present rates collected aro £400. within live years when £10,----000 is borrowed at 4J per cent, it will cost £425 for Loan alone, rather awkward, Mr Taylor. "What about the great progressive policy we hear so much at out? Its common " knowledge that the more progress, the more expenditure ; the same rule would applv from country until it becomes a town.

Progressive also writes in a wailing strain, and I am at a loss in regards the above sex; however, Progressive will do for the present, high sounding certainly. The same refers to a true gentleman knowing when to be silent, evidently Progressive does not claim, so high a rank. One statement made, that I asked and asked until I got my own road m?tailed, yes, I asked once, and received and carted the metal at my own cost, and as most of the metal has disappeared, I was seriously thinking of asking again just now, and not eight years «go, and I say unto Pro ■ gressive &o ana do likewise. Other remarks I put. down as Progi'cssive's profusion oi fabrications,

Mr Wilkins writes kindly and refers to our good friendship, yes, and I am anxious that it continue. Ho complains of die patched bridge being across thb road, and occasionally un-d-n- water, yes, Mr Marcus Wilkins, its something serious but. is it a good, bai gain at £ 1000. Eeckon your money at 4-|- per cent for 20 years and you have j t free bridge. Mr Tan-ant writes an able letter on the. subject, but has several weakpoints, one in particular being, that roads and bridges not required t-hould not defeat the scheme, it bridges costing £IUOO are to be loft unchallenged, the state will require to step in and enquheinto tlio expenditure, it "would simply mean that you could bribe a portion to secure the whole. Yours, etc., D. AlcDox-ald. Kewiti.