STRATFORD NORTH AND THE MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 63, 17 March 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD NORTH AND THE MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

[lO The Editor Stratford Post.] Sir, —In view of the extravagant and wasteful methods of the Stratford Borough Council, I think it is about time the ratepayers in that part of the Borough situated between the Flint Road on the north, Pembroke i Road on the south, Swansea Road on the east, and the boundary line of the Stratford Borough between Flint and Pembroke Roads on the west, should take steps to sever its connection with the Borough. For over thirty years this part of the Borough has been diddled out of its rates. The Pembroke Road east and west is a positive disgrace, blackberries growing in the very centre of it, and within a chain of the railway line. This road on the west leads to the Stratford Racecourse—one of the prettiest in the country, but the road leading to the course would bo an absolute disgrace to a country Road Board, leave alone what should lie a progressive townr Then take Broadway north; or the Mountain Road north—a very appropriate term; for really no mountain track could equal it for ruggedness and neglect. On one side it is blocked with logs, unfinished cutting sand uprooted stumps, deposited there from various sections and places, besides several ravines and gulches into which sometimes bullocks disappear from passing mobs, when the local police force is called upon to extricate them with derrick, etc. Now this northern road, which passes through the centre of north Stratford, is the only outlet to the County north of Stratford; also is the only road to the Stratford Show Grounds, This road should have the first prize and champion award for being the most neglected and unsightly approach to any public grounds in New Zealand (bracketed of course with Pembroke Road west). It is to be hoped the ratepayers will sit pretty solidly on the proposal to borrow £9,000 for the purpose of erecting Municipal Buildings, and when they do decide to go in for such works, see that competitive designs are called for, and the very best talent is secured, to ensure the utmost value, utility, and beauty for their money. There is always more chance of getting good value out of a dozen nr more designs than with only one, especially where the selectors are generally amateurs in fine'' arts, hygiene, etc. It is to be hoped that in April next, for the sake of Stratford’s future progress and prosperity, the ratepayers will politically bury the Mayor and old-time Councillors. And, moreover, let there be no requisitions asking any of them to again offer their services to further blight Stratford’s future. It is a great pity we cannot loan the Eltham Council to do our Borough business. 1 am, etc. NORTH STRATFORD.