TOWN BOARD MATTERS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 26 September 1918, Page 2

TOWN BOARD MATTERS.

To the Editor,

Slß,—Please allow me space in your paper to thank the ratepayers for their kind appreciation of my long term of service on the Helensville Town Board. I also thank the Town Board, but I take it as a personal insult c oming from the man who proposed it at the Town Board meeting. I regret that I was unable to attend the ratepayers' meeting, but I would like to express my views as to the speeches of the candidates at the

meeting,

Firstly, the statement of the late Chairman, Com. J. F. Lambert. He gives the receipts and expenditure for the last two years as showing a credit balance of £182, but he should show what amount had been paid in wages, carting, printing and advertising, interest on loans, clerking and other expenidture, and then should show what sum we had left to purchase material to make the roads. Ratepayers would then think about the administration of the township.

Com. S tewart remarks about being handicapped from borrowing for road formation on account of the war. He should have told the ratepayers that the limit had been reached in the Board's borrowing powers, and that the present loans were too great abu rden on the small town district.

I agree with Com. Aitkenhead that the time will come when Parakai will be linked up with the town district, and then the people of that district will have more 'interest in the administration of the Hot Springe.

Com. Graham remarks re tree planting which is all very good,but at the present time would not assist the upkeep of the roads, as it would require part of our rates, which are required for the roads, for the upkeep of trees.

Com. Thompson states that he has done good service in bringing down the speed of motor cars, His situation in life does not allow him to judge on that question, for I made sure a few days since that there would be a job for the undertaker when I saw a motor coming down the hill while so me children were playing on the road.

Com. Strange made remarks re the Hot Springs control being taken over by the Tourist Department, which I quite agree with, but his borrowing policy for roads I cannot. What interest has he in the township, more than representing his employer two miles outside of Helensville.

Com. McLeod, addressing the ratepayers, began to blow his own trumpet by stating that when he left the Town Board four years ago he left the roads in good order, and not a yard of metal had haen put down since, which is a random statement. It' was impossible for him to leave the roads in good order following cutting up for putting in the water and drainage pipes, and as for no metal on the roads, I must admit that there should have been more done than there has been. But when the men have been employed picking up pieces of metal and paper and cutting grass and digging up weeds on the road s at 12/- per day it does not leave much rates to buy metal. Com. McLeod also states that he was the first to propose the water and drainage scheme. I mast state that the late Mr Cameron, Chairman of the Board, was the first to move in the matter of water, etc. I will admit that Mr McLeod while in office did his best in attending to the interests of the town also to the Hot Springs.

I would like to state that the result of the election would have shown a different result if each voter had voted for seven candidates instead of the corrupt way of a candidate striking off all but his own name. —I am, etc.,

A. Becboft. Helensville, Sept. 20, 1918.