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Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1765, 29 August 1874, Page 3

' ' (To.the Editor of the Star.) t ' Sib,—Permit me space to mate a remark as to the course .which, has. been adopted, by the Borough Council touching a certain matter—tl~e construction of footpaths. I apprehend that the Councillors', as a rule, nave faithfully- discharged the duties; entrusted .ijo them by. the peoples who elected them; but in this respect there is a want of found judgment., That principle of asking householders to cotttv bute towards the construction or repair of footpaths' wants reason and justice. There are instances in. which these requirements hate not been attended to on account of -the, residents not .being in a position, to contribute'a quota of the amount required to bo expended, which, takirg into consideration the financial position of the borough; is perfectly reasonable. But we find that persons who come forward with a certain amount, and aslc the Council to do that" which, when done, materially enhances the value of; thpir property, are at once obliged with a' cejrtain. outlay of the public money. I •- maintain that Those residents who desire to improve; their property in this trespect should either be compelled to perform the work. * themselves, or the > .rotes of the Council should be given according -to- tbeir^ means, and -be distributed in those .portions of the borough most requiring attention. There are a

number of streets the footpaths of which ( are in a disgraceful condition, which havo ,bt en passed over, because, forsooth, the rtsidents jwer« unable to pay such a portion towards the outlay, as would enable the Council to make a finished work of it; while at the same time money has been expended on a., footpath in Pollen-street, • Shortland, up\sn which there is little or no traffic, merely ,bccau?o the owners of certain property there accompanied their request with a contingent, of ,the amount required. \ This is but one instance., The consequence is, that the, work in question has taken .money which .might have been applied in amor* liseful direction;' which , has, in fact, benefitted the interests of a \ few individuals to iKe detriment of many.