MUNICIPAL INDISCRETION.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 August 1919, Page 5

MUNICIPAL INDISCRETION.

(To t!e Editor-_) Sir,—-Please allow me to notice Yo‘-11‘ leader of the 25th instant. The writer has been out of town for a few days or it would have been attended to before. Quoting from your remarks: “The Council contemplates getting a special Act of Parliament through next Session to give them, not the Tate‘ payers, the option of substituting concrete slabs with asphalt.” This statement is absolutely incorrect_ The Council has not yet decided as -to Whether they will ask the ratOP3Y9TS- - review or revise the original idea». We are collecting evidence and data from leading municipal engineers anti experts on this particular work. Mr. V/illiams, of Napier, our consulting en‘ gineer, will be here again shortly and his assistance will be sought The question of whether, under all circumstances or under certain circumstances, asphalt is better than concrete slabs, is a very debateable point. Last Week the writer was in Wanganui and noticed a block ‘of footpaths, about five chains, originally laid down in concrete slabs, being dealt with with asphalt, and the slabs being carted away. I once called on the Mayor, Mr_ C. E. Mackay, (the engineer was not about town), and enquired the reason for this, the reply was: “We are pulling up all the concrete slabs and substituting asphalt.” It was admitted that the concrete slabs were lasting, but the" trouble was they could not be kept in their proper places; were always canting up on one side or end, and the pedestrians were complaining very strongly about it. I understand that for these slabs to be a success the foundation on which they are laid must be particularly firm even, and favourable. Have we such a surface here? If not, ‘let us be circumspecti If a‘ mistake is being made, surely it would’ be better to review and revoke it than to persist in it. Don’t let us start to put down what other people are pulling tip. Mr. Crofton Staveley, Engineer toethe Wanganui Borough Council, is right at the head of his profession, and his’ opinion shoulpdvibe worth something. I By‘ using asphalt instead of slabs. I understand that there will be a saving of £I2OO. _This money would carry the asphalting a long way ‘into _the suburbs. What advantage is it to our women folk and children to have expensive concrete ‘slabs over‘ a’ few chains of footpath in the middle of the town if they have to wade through chains and chains of mud to reach the dry'la.nd?'This rate is being struck over the whole of the Borough, and We should endeavour to benefit as many of our people as it is possible to do, providing always that we are following a sound and approved policy. Let me again assure the ratepayers that no change will be made without tn-ir sanction. But if a public meetingvunanimously carried a resolution to substitute asphalt for concrete slabs this could not be done without the aid of a Clause, in the “Washing Up Bil 1." Replying to your remark as to who is paying the cost of this, the answer is: There, is no cost. We.are afliliated withthe Municipal Association, which engages Mr. Martin, of Wellington, on a yearly salary to do this work. The afliliation‘ fee is £3 3/ per annum. In conclusion let me assure the people of Taihapc that their Counoil is Working hard and conscientiously, and in harmony and unanimity, for the welfare and well being of our town.——l am, etc., A. J. JOBLIN, Mayor.