“OLD MEN’S HOME!”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 974, 17 May 1930, Page 5

“OLD MEN’S HOME!”

RATEPAYER and council ROAD WORK DERIDED From Our Own Correspondent TAUMARUNUI, Friday. Local bodies have often to consider tbe written complaints of ratepayers, but it is doubtful if many of them receive a letter couched in such vigorous terms as one received by the Kaitieke County Council, from a settler at Piriaka. The letter opened with a request that the council should pay attention to the manner in which he alleged the ratepayers' money was being • wasted'' on the Tunanui and other roads in the county. He invited the

council to pay a visit of inspection to bis road, and challenged them to agree with him that it was like “giving money away, and that the road is

much worse since the grader went over it than before.” The complain ant outlined what he objected to about the work, and continued: “The position certainly appears to me to be that the roadman does not understand bis work or does not care. The only interesting part he appears to have in veur council is to draw- his pay whether he works or not. It appears to me that the Kaitieke County Council is fast becoming a charitable aid institution, or an old men’s home. I would like your council to give this matter its most earnest consideration, and make the most of the ratepayers’ money.”

The member for the riding, Cr. Hartley, and the county engineer, explained the position in reference to the job. and the meeting agreed that the writer had no grounds for complaint. His letter was received.