CORRESPONDENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81899, 10 December 1906, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

THE COUNTY COUXCTL ASD ITS FOHEMEM. To the Editor. .Sir,—With u view to prevent the friction that for- ninny months Ims existed between certain-councillors and one or more of the foremen, I would like to put a few facts before theni, and will be as brief as possible. First of all, 1 say with nil respect that conn cillors are i)ot supposed to he road engineers and should not presume to be able to direct any foreman in the execution of ttlie necessary work on his road. Any self-respecting and competent foniian must natur.i'Uy resent interference from any individual councillor; he should receive his instructions from the Council or engineer, and be responsible to that body or ollicer for the proper carrying out of his work. Who is so lit as himself to say what extra men are required, and for any councillor to interfere with him in the employment of extra labour would tend to weaken the control of the men employed, and, moreover, would relievu him of the responsibility of carrying out his work to the best advantage. If he is not competent he should be at once replaced by an able man. For men with no practical - knowledge of road-making to have the right to interfere with men of experience is degrading alike to the Council and its practical stall'. It has bueu sarcastically said that Taranaki possesses more engineers to the acre- than any other country in the world, and there is a good deal of warrant for such a remark. Let councillors at once recognise! that they are elected to direct and control county affairs, whilst in Council, and leave road-making and voadniending to- those whose trade it is, and things will go along more satisfactorily in every way. The refusal of one or two councillors to speak to the foremen in their respective districts is not very courteous, but it may conduce to the peace of mind of the foremen and should result in better work being forthcoming. The chilling reception given by the Council to the nine persons who met at Omata and constituted themselves "the ratepayers of 11m Omaia riding," is the most digniiicd act it had performed for a considerable time.—l am, etc. A BR! BATEPAYER. THE KECKEATIOX GKOU> T D. To the Editor. .Sir,—The Itecreation Grounds Board arc to be complimented on their having added aimUier to the. many attractions of vmir beautiful grounds. This new aiti'aclii.n is the presence of a rowing boat on the'upper lake, which

is always ready for hire at the low rate of threepence per head. The mistake, however, which Ihe Board have made N in not publishing or advertising the fact, anil thus giving to it 'greater publicity,' for many go to the grounds who think that the boat is a private concern, and not available for the general public. Few things are more enjoyable than a row on the lake with its exquisite scenery. Indeed, no more beautiful grounds exist this .-.ide of the line. Time docs not dim unr frequent visits stale their perennial frclniess and charm, They seem a visinnarv picture n( llie poet made real! As'things of beauty, they are a joy for ever. The classic writers of antiquity, in their works, describe noIhing liiier. and it will be delightful eroiiml make on Ihe mind that will lire Hie imagination of vmir fill lire poets. -I am. He.,

KI'STACK DTIERTIIICOIRT. Stratford, November 1, l'JOli.