Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1927. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3682, 25 August 1927, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1927. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

THE meeting of ratepayers held at Sanson on. Monday night to discuss Manawatu County affairs, if it accomplishes nothing more than arousing interest in county matters, will have accomplished something useful. The election of County Councillors, as a rule, does not arouse much interest and more often than not representatives for the ridings are elected unopposed. An election, on the other hand, affords an opportunity to aspirants to air their views and arouse interest in county "affairs. Since the Highways Board has taken a hand in County road construction and maintenance, the public anticipate much improved highways by reason of the added revenue by way of subsidy. Besides, road transport has undergone a change and county councils should realise that highways must conform to the new order of things, including roadmaking on modern and scientific lines. Increased capital expenditure is necessary to meet modern demands, but ratepayers are not required to meet the needed expenditure in a lump sum as loans arc spread over long periods and posterity shares the burden as well as the conveniences. In many parts the highways follow ancient cow tracks and ; awkward bends. This work calls for added capital expenditure but the saving in maintenance and risks to life more than compensate in the ultimate. The meeting of ratepayers held at Sanson will serve a good purpose in stimulating interest in county administration, but it is matter for regret that none of the members of the County Council were in attendance. Had they been there to voice the Council’s policy many points could have been explained which, having gone unchallenged, will leave a doubt in the minds of the public as to the efficiency of the Council’s administration. It now remains for the Council to give an account of its stewardship in order to restore that confidence among ratepayers which the recent meeting has unsettled.