STRATFORD DAY BY DAY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 193, 24 November 1910, Page 8

STRATFORD DAY BY DAY

i , (From Our Own Correspondent.) Somebody once cynically wrote that the success of a politician was gauged by the amount of votes appearing on the Estimates for roads and bridges in the electorate he represented. It. is possible if the cynic had followed out this line of thought to its furthest limits he might have reached the conclusion that this very mundane standard may be applied in a lesser degree to holders of public positions, where ambition and: the desire to pose in the limelight of publicity replace the gilded charm of an honorarium. In a minor degree, and to a certain extent, t'he claims of a resident of a town for a position 011 the Borough Council are voiced in the statement, "Oh! He looks after the roads and footpaths." To many this is the Alpha and Omega ol municipal representation; nothing higher can be imagined. There is also a section of every community whose predominant idea of municipal administration is to keep down the rates. Improvements, however much they may be needed, are anathema if they entail an increase in tile annual rates paid. Sometimes the two elections come into conflict because the revenue accrued from rates does not permit of the adequate maintenance of the roads and footpaths. The proceedings of the last meeting of the Stratford Borough Council would indicate tha.t the carrying out of new work is overlapping the repairing and maintenance of roads and footpaths. The absence of proper kerbing and channelling from the majority of the streets in the Borough is apparent to every observer, and; very little thought is required to make it that this condition of affairs will continue so long as the policy of attempting to carry out new work out of revenue is adhered to. It may be possible to do a few chains every year, but with the expansion of the borough the maintenance of existing roads will grow proportionately .with the increasing demands for roads and footpaths. To at tempt to grapple with this problem out of revenue can only have one result—failure. If the public want new roads, or to be more precise want grass roads, turned into metalled ones', and footpaths, they must be prepared to pay for them by agreeing to ai rate to provide the interest on the loan required to carry through 'the works. It has got to come and there are not lacking those who are wondering when the Mayor will take the initial steps in the matter.

Cr. G. R. Marchant has been re-elected chairman of the Stratford County Council. J

. who lias been appointed assistant stock inspector in Stratford, has •taken up his duties.

I understand the Mayor of Stratford has written to the Mayor of New Plymouth, suggesting that the date on which the Governor has been asked to visit New Plymouth should be altered to the 14th instead of the loth December. It is pointed out that the Baylv Memorial bports are being held on the 15th at Stratford, and it is proposed to ask the Governor to be present. An invitation is being sent his Excellency to pay a visit to Stratford.

I hear that thero is a probability that several members of Parliament and members of the Wanganui Education Board Sports 8 FeS( ' Mt Ht the Bayly Memoria!