PIAKO COUNTY BRIDGES.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43324, 12 May 1908, Page 3

PIAKO COUNTY BRIDGES.

*> f . : [To the Editor. in Thursday’s issue of the 7tb inst, I was greatly struck with the forcible way you advocated the raising of a special loan of £6,500 for the reconstruction of bridges in the Waitoa and Te Aroha ridings; You, sir, are of the opinion the arguments in its favour are legion, and v veryfew—if any—can be raised against it . I, for one, have several objections against the special loan. Ist, The Council sboulctjrat a report on all the bridges “klhe Piako County by a competent angineer I suggested to the Chairman 1 that the Council should have such a report It is most unusual to raise a special bridge loan in the absence of such report. - 2nd,. I am of the opinion the - proposed -lpan< should be held over until ' triennial election to bo held in November next,:so as to give the. rateSierr a fai* opportunity of deciding in vour of candidates for or against the loan. 3rd, There is nothing to prevent the spending of the Waitoa general rates ton roads or bridges in the adjoining **d»ss» provided a majority-of the members in the Council wish to do so. The members of the other three ridings axe in favcpr of forming a new country,, naturally they will try to get as much as' : possible before the painter is cut. 4th, I am quite satisfied a large number of the bridges and culverts are quite good enough for some time to come, with ■light repairs. Some of those bridges are in back roads with very little traffic, and few settlers living in the immediate vicinity.. I agree with you, sir, the county was pu| to enormous expenses as a result of the flood in January twelve , v monthsago.; The Council are still ■pending, enormous sums on maintaining • a staff of men and' horses and getting little value in return. Until such time as the horses are sold, there is little hope - keeping the roads and bridges in good with the ordinary rate. Sumr ■ # ijbuoning up, in a few words,! wish to state clearly and without any misunderstanding. There should be a repdrt on all bridges in the Piako County by a Competent engineer, a special loan uk each tiding raised according to its requirements, place the whole financial position of the county before the ratepayers. state plainly the pow?r of. the Council in spending the rates in each riding in ; proportion to the amount receiTM., Under the present circumstances I shall have no hesitation in voting against the proposed special loan, and I oust every, settler in the Waitoa riding will carefully consider the matter before xecording his. vote. Thanking you in ~0. anticipation of Inserting the above in your next issue,—l am, etc, T. MoGLOIN.