THE MAYOR REPLIES TO MR WILSON.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 15, 19 January 1915, Page 5

THE MAYOR REPLIES TO MR WILSON.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.] Sir. -Mr Wilson returns to tha charge, and in doing so I must ask that he quote from my letter correctly. He states that 1 only gave two reasons against the utility of the fiat channelling, and that one of these reasons was that the old channelling was laid down so solidly that it was necessary to pull it up to make a floor for the new pound. 1 challenge Mr Wilson or anyone else reading from my letter to prove such a ridiculous statement. 1 certainly stilted that the concrete taken up was to be used for the new pound, but the reason for taking it up was because, as a channelling, it was an utter failure, and not for the reason Mr Wilson credits me with stating. Not being able to maintain his position in connection with the kerbing and channelling, Mr Wilson changes the venue, to the generally of the upkeep of Broadway. Lor your correspondent’s information, 1 may say that the annual cost for the upkeep of Broadway is not at all excessive : furthermore, the business portion of Broadway provides twofifths of the whole of tb# rates of the borough, and if this fact were borne in mind we should probably hear a good deal less of an undue proportion of the rates being demanded to be spent on the outskirts. From the tone of Mr Wilson’s letter, it would appear that he has no sympathy with Broadway: his heart alone bleeds for the unroaded or unmetalled parts of the borough. However, even if Mr Wilson sees fit to forget, ratepayers are not likely- to forget that it is only a short while ago -when this same gentleman was most anxious that a large sura should be spent in Broadway, and by the way this money was to be spent in concrete , work too. Dealing with Air London's opinions, I am afraid that his knowledge of the matter under review is not any more extensive than that of his brother-in-arms. For every town that Mr Lundon can name which has adopted the flat type of channelling two can be quoted that have laid down the dished type of chailnelling. What is the channelling for? To collect debris to be swept up with a broom ? Not ak all. The esesntial use of a properlyconstructed channelling i s to carry off storm water and any debris that may be collected therein. Air London points to the unsightliness of the difference in the height of the kerbing above and below the present footpath. Does he for a moment, with any knowledge of the question, think this is to remain? Further, is he aware that the footpath as laid down is like the waves of the ocean ? The proper levels are those to which the new kerbing and channelling have been laid, and seeing ’that the levels had to be rectified sooner or later the present Council has taken the bull by the horns and done the work, croakers to the contrary notwithstanding. During the three years that I have been Alayor practically nothing outside the present work has been done in Broadway. The real trouble is not that too much money has been spent in any particulaT direction, but that the borough is so large that the revenue derived is not sufficient to do all the work that might be done with advantage. Realising this, I have endeavoured to shape the policy of the Council to give footpaths where most urgently needed, and to carry out roadwork that would benefit the greatest number. Fairminded ratepayers will, I think, admit that the Council has carried out this policy to the best possible advantage when our limited means - are considered. Instead of carping at an honest endeavour to do what is best foi the borough, your crorespondents -should be just first and critical afterwards. I trust that the time is fast approaching when our citizens will take a pride in our main thoroughfare rather than criticise putting it in order.—l am, etc., W. P. KIRKWOOD, Alayor.