THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Thursday, Dec. 16, 1915 SHORT-SIGHTED POLICY

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 December 1915, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Thursday, Dec. 16, 1915 SHORT-SIGHTED POLICY

WHAT looks like short-sighted policy eyentuated at the late meeting of Waitemata CountyCouncil, on 10th inst., over the purchase of a road-metal site at Waitakere, and on behalf of the members representing the ridings of Kumeu and Kaukapakapa, though the Star says nothing of the matter, while the Herald devotes "five lines to it. The ECHO voices the subject, however, as we consider it one in which all the ratepayers from Waitakere north are vitally interested, and how it is possible for two Riding Councillors such as those represented by Messrs Dye and Tailor for Kaukapakapa and Kumeu Ridings respectively, to go dead against acquiring a quarry site at small cost for the benefit of our bad and treacherous roads, passes our understanding, and we can scarcely credit that any body of ratepayers interested in the welfare of their district would object to ■ such a boon offering. And, as showing how easy it is to fritter away the rates, we may instance the calling ot a " special meeting " at a cost of some' £15 (travelling expenses), to settle the question, when standing orders could easily have been suspended for the purpose. Far too much redtapism is introduced at times into the methods of local government, regardless of cost to ratepayers. Just fancy a number of ridings being served by rail a few miles from many stations along the line, objecting, especially when the cost is a mere bagatelle, and the quarry would be a perpetual boon to one and all. Why the thing seems monstrous