Papakura By-laws.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 147, 18 February 1916, Page 3

Papakura By-laws.

TO THE EDITOR. Ijjr,- J quite agree with the] views oi your correspondent, as Expressed in jour issue of this morning, that much credit is due to the gentlemen mentioned for their efforts as members of tha Town Board, as well ay to ttu- late chairman and members of former Boards. It is really wonderful the amount of work that has been done in the past, when we take into consideration the very limited revenue at (he command o) the Board, Our mam -trcets have been forired and 1 led, while most of our side '(frets have been formed and many of them have been metalled, and as your correspondent stateß, our thoroughfares compaje very favourably with thosa in other places which have borrowed large sums ol money. But the functions of the Board should not be altogether confined to the construction and maintenance of ruadu, though of course that is

a highly important pa:t of its wo k. The Buard should also provide for the safety ot the putlic in va iou3 ways, as well as to take steps to see that whatever money is spent on the footpaths and streets is not wasted through tbe gross carelessness of thos3 who make use of tbem. Hence the need tor a carefully compiled body of by-laws. The Board has no "eet" of by-laws as stated by your correspondent. It has two by-laws only which are incomplete, and did not co t the sum mentioned. Ihe estimatel cost of a serviceable bidy of by-laws is, roughly, about £l2O, which would soon be refunded to tha Board in license fees alone. It is certainly surprising to find anyone maintaining that a town of nearly 700 inhabitants is not in need of by-laws. I would remind your correspondent that rat r s bave been and are being spent on a st( ck road, but there is nojiower to compel drovers to ÜBe it. Footpatts and streets absorb the major part of the rates, while the Board has no power to see tbat they are properly used or to claim damages when they are injured. Heavy traffic, often reßultI ing in tha tearing up of our roads, lis not under control. Vehicles are not compelled to use lights at night. Ihe halls of the town are neither licensed nor controlled by the Boaid, and no provision is made to safeguard the public in case of a fire or a panic. Tbe storage of explosives and dangerous goods is not regulated. With the exception of the sites, the erection of buildings is not provided tor in any way, whiie the whole matter of sanitation is left in abeyaace. Many other points might be referred to, but the above will suffice for the present In conclusion, I would like to say that I was very pleased to read your correspondent's letter. Upen discussion ot tbe action of tbe Board members will do more good than barm, and will show that tbe ratepayers are taking an intelligent interest In the doings of the Board, whose members will all the more realise their responsibilities to those who elected them.—l am, 6tC D. W. JONES Papakura, February 16th, 1916