GLENBERVIE CUTTING AGAIN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5017, 23 April 1877, Page 3

GLENBERVIE CUTTING AGAIN.

TO THE EDITOR OK THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —In your issue of the 19th instant “ Ratepa T ■ ’ gives us a most elaborate explanatio S® V • the cutting through Glenbervieterracu shot I be carried through at the ex-

pense of the ratepayers. It seems to me that the letter of “Ratepayer" is simply a dish of Colfl mutton done up for a second service ; in other words, a repetition of a speech delivered at the meeting held at Maginity’s Royal Hotel. “ Ratepayer ” begins his letter with fair promises. He says, “it may be as well to place the possession of the real facts L _&c. ; ”

but what facts does he give us ? He says that “ at a meeting held at Gillespie’s Hotel, the meeting resolved to apply to the surveyor for information, which was given to them, and another meeting was called, &c.” Ho does not condescend to say what information was given, but goes on to assume that the inforraation given was favorable to the carrying through of the cutting. I happen to know that this, at least, is not a fact, and that no information was ever given by tbe surveyor on the subject. At the first meeting, held at Gillespie’s Hotel, it was resolved to have the opinion of the City Surveyor as to the difference of cost of the two proposed lines, and Mr. Marks, who was chairman at that meeting, called at the City Clerk's office and eaw Mr. O’Neil, who promised to meet a committee from that meeting on the ground ; but he failed to appear; again another appointment was made; and again he failed to nut in appearance ; and to this hour no opinion tas been given by the surveyor. “.Ratepayer’ gays that to make a street by the present cuttin-' would cost double the money that Ins pet scheme would cost ; but he gives no data by which those who have to pay the expense can fudge for themselves. Possibly “ Ratepayer might bo right, but I doubt his assertion ; however, oven if ho is right, cheap goods are not always tho best bargain, and when £ISOO is to be spent, I think it is the duty of those who hold the btrings of the purse to seo that the money is spent to the boat advantage. Again, “ Ratepayer” tries to make out a case for his fifteen feet wide stress on behalf of tho KaroriMakara milk carts. Anything more hollow than this I can scarcely imagine. The Karori people wa,ut a nearer road to town, but tho idea of this cutting has never entered their heads ; at least the only gentleman in Karori who has said anything on tho subject has said that this cutting can do them r.o good. I cannot help thinking from all I have been aide to learn iu this matter that the whole agitation has been got up by a gentleman who wants a street direct up to his own front door, and is using all his influence as a councillor and a man of property to have his own way. If councillors go into tho Council merely to carry out their own schemes tho sooner some of them

are changed the better, say I. Trum all that has been said anent this now celebrated cutting. I have not yet heard one good reason why tin's money should be so recklessly thvo-.vn away. In fan - , the only reason I have heard assigned is that the Council have .£IBOO to spend, and it may as '.veil ho spent in this cutting as elsewhere, but the promoters of this scheme forget, in their anxiety to servcjtlieiv own purposes, that other places in the ward arc move needful ; for instance, there is no footpath in Sydney-street worthy of I ho name, inTinakoriroad scarcely any attempt has been made towards making side-walks. If it is only an anxiety to have the money spent in the ward which is giving councillors trouble, they have several places to choose from, and be at no loss ; when their care for the comfort of their constituents will be fully appreciated; but in this case it is “ love’s labor lost,” and the intercuts of the ratepayers will be squandered to satisfy the insatiable greed of a very few i money parties who are doing their best to carry through this impracticable cut ring.— I am, &0., Robbie Shoddy. April 21.