OUR “FAITHFUL SERVANT.”

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 10 September 1919, Page 4

OUR “FAITHFUL SERVANT.”

To the Editor. " Sir, —Re Mr Knight’s letter on the engineer’s methods of road-making: By the way he writes one would think that Mr Malcolm is to blame for everything that may not be quite up to the standard. If the engineer had a free hand, and the money and good material, no doubt he would have the roads in really good order. Could Mr Knight make any improvement in the art of road-making? If so, why not go to next meeting of the Council- or to our local councillor (Mr Ryder), as I am sure they would bo only too plased to hear him and act on any approved suggestions that he could offer. Also, Mr Knight, would be in great demand all over the Dominion, as all other counties are at present trying to grapple with the all-importaut question of roadmaking that will suit motor traffic. Can Mr Knight explain how he would make a good job of, say, one mile of road, 15ft wide, requiring at least 12 yards of metal per chain, and only granted 8 per chain to do it with? Has he ever been over any of the roads between Wellington, Auckland or Now Plymouth? .If he had he would find that our roads compared favourably with all of them, and perhaps would give our “faithful servant” his full share of credit for what he has done with the limited means at his disposal. If the county raised a loan sufficient to fix our roads up properly, would Mr Knight and a few other mud-throwers be as willing to have their rates increased, instead of throwing mud at a man who is not to blame for everything that is done wrong?

Mr Knight says Mr Malcolm is too old for his work, and says that a, pension should be granted to a faithful servant. No doubt, Mr Knight will be aged himself some day; and how would he like to live on 10s a week and be kicked out of the way like a rotten sack that has seen the best of its days! If anybody wanted criticism it is the methods adopted by the county foreman. He had half a dozen men at a bit of filling near Otaki, and only one cart, consequently two men were working and the remainder were hanging over their shovels. I suppose Mr Malcolm, after leaving a man appointed by the Council in charge of this expensive job, must take the blame on his shoulders. I do not think patoto-growing and road making are a very good combination. Mr Knight should look after his own affairs, as our engineer is quite capable of upholding his end of the stick.—l am. etc..

A LOOKER-ON, Otaki, September 9th, 1919.