Roads at Onewhero.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 12, 29 May 1912, Page 3

Roads at Onewhero.

[To The Editor.] g ffir _I r ead your Onewhero correspondent's communication with much interest, but regret he did not suggest any remedy for the disabilities the district is laboring under. Would it not have been better to have outlined a thoroughly comprehensive scheme which would meet with general approval instead of querulously finding fault with everything that has been done or suggested ? Is it fair to state that " the commonplace duty of keeping the existing roads decently fit for traffic has been 'utterly neglected,' and to condemn all proposals put forward as the ' wild-cat schemes of visionary enthusiasts?'" The difficulty must be grappled with in the near future if we are to live up to the traditions of ytois great district; but the sweeping condemnations of those who have no suggestions to make is of no more help than the "dreams of visionary enthusiasts." To give you some idea of the difficulties to be faced, it may not be out of place here to state that Onewhero riding runs from the Waikato on the north, to the south of the Wairamarama Settlement, and from Port Waikato riding in the west to Pukekawa in the east, and that the majority of the roads are side cuttings and exceptionally expensive to maintain. Your correspondent gives the impression that he thinks Onewhero township is Onewhero riding. This is not so; there are the surrounding districts of Opuatia, Kohanga, Klondike and Wairamarama to be considered, and a great deal of works in these districts is construction as well as maintenance. According to the Baglan County balance-sheet before me, our gross income is £762 10s Id; there are certain engineering and incidental expenses, which must reduce it to about £6oo—not enough to form and' metal one mile of road per annum—and yet it is assumed that all the roads in the riding must be maintained in a condition " decently fit for traffic" out of that sum. I venture the opinion that it is absolutely impossible. Your correspondent further remarks that "where and how the money is expended is a mystery to most people." This, surely, is exaggerated. Why should it be a mystery wheD, if the Councillor has not the information at hand, a letter to the Clerk will obtain facts and figures within a few days, or the actual vouchers may be examined by any ratepayer who wishes, and who will go to the Council Office at Ngaruawahia. Be the £4OOO loan, I presume your correspondent writes with authority when he states that "it is estimated only eight shillings worth of work was done for each pound expended." It sounds very impossible, and unless he can verify his figures, the statement is scarcely worth a passing notice. The loan was raised during Mr Poland's term as Councillor, and was spent under his and Mr E. McLeod's (County Engineer) supervision. I am, etc., Onlooker.