AN OPEN LETTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2571, 24 April 1923, Page 2

AN OPEN LETTER.

.TO THE BURGESSES OF FOXTON

[Published by Arrangement.]

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— The following is n brief summary of a few of the important matters outside ordinary routine during the twenty years I. have served as a Councillor: — (1). When J first entered the Council there were two wooden culverts, one in Main St. and the other in the Avenue, a menace to traffic and just wide enough for one vehicle to pass over at a time. On my motion these were replaced by concrete culverts, the full width of the road. (2). I advocated concrete curbings and properly constructed footpaths, a great improvement on the old order of things. (3) Tarring and improving the Main St. which is now equal if not superior to those in most towns. (4). Have given attention to improving the back streets and to the proper drainage of same so far as funds would allow. (5). 1 gave the land free of cost to the Council to enable the junctinning of Putter Street with Union Street almost 10 chains and carted the metal for the road free of charge. (0). lie the port and shipping. I have always taken an active interest in theses matters and am at present-' a shareholder in the s.s. Kennedy, without the services of which, there would be no regular shipping to the port. (P.S. —The Kennedy is not a dividend paying concern). (7). I advocated Municipal gas works and strongly objected to private ownership. If my advocacy had been supported the borough would not now be saddled with a white elephant and the gas works would have been a paying proposition from the start. Subsequently one of the Councillors was deputed to purchase the gas works from the company and met tin 1 chairman and secretary of the company in conjunction with the Town Clerk and two other local Councillors. The first, question asked was, are you prepared to sell the gas works? Answer: “Yes.” On being asked to be shown the books, the request was refused. The price asked was £9,000 —“take them or leave them.” At this time Mr 0. 11. Stiles was Mayor of Foxton, also a shareholder in the gas works. Tie declined absolutely to have anything to do with the transactions between the Council and the company and left the chair when the purchase was under discussion. The cost of the gas works to the ratepayers up to the present is: £II.OOO purchase money, plus £4,1)08 collected as -pecial rate, making a total of £15,50.8. The cost of the works to the company was under £5,000. (.8). Re water and drainage. T have not been a strong advocate but since the people sanctioned the proposal, I have given every assistance to carry it out and 1 am satisfied that the ratepayers have been well served by the engineers and have got full value for their money. When the scheme is completed the system will give very little trouble. Ro water tower. If an earthquake shakes tins substantial-ly-built and well-founded structure, there will be little of Foxton standing. (!)). Have always been an advocate of Public Swimming Baths and I have the promise of a substantial amount towards the cost of same. (10). I brought down a motion and spoke in favour of a loan for the erection of Municipal buildings, public Reading-room and Library, but my motion was defeated by some so-called progressive Councillors. I still favour this proposal. (11). I advocated standard weights for all road metal purchased by the Council, which would effect a considerable saving to the borough. My motion on this matter was defeated. A full outline of the numerous measures I have advocated for the progress of Foxton and the welfare of the community during the twenty years you have honoured me with your confidence would occupy too much space. As the biggest ratepayer, Fox ton’s prosperity means my own. If this brief outline meets with your approval, 1 solicit a continuance of your support at Thursday’s poll.

Yours, etc

tleo. C. COLEY