OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1940, Page 3

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

I COLE STREET CULVERT (To the Editor.i Sir, —A paragraph in the "TimesAge" reminds the ratepayers that good progress is being made with the Colo Street culvert. As a ratepayer who passes there frequently, 1 consider the culvert is being constructed with this policy—this year, next year, some time. Any contractor could have put down concrete piping six feet high, which is sufficient for a dwindling stream, in a month and at half the. cost put on the estimates. The council has been months on the job and lhe estimate of .£5OO is likely to be trebled. Now that the structure is partly completed, they find the arching above the road and footpath levels and eventually will have to raise the road, footpath, kerbingand channelling already uphill, to go over a "hump." A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. But oh. what a job.—l am. etc. "ASTONISHED." The Borough Engineer, Mr C. R. Mabson, to whom the above letter was referred, states: "The progress of the work has been governed by the use of the men available to the best advantage, as several other urgent works required attention before the end of■ the financial year. The actual estimate is .£305 and there is no reason to expect that the estimate will be exceeded. The centre of the culvert is actually about a foot under the crown of the road and when the work is finished the present sag in the level of the footpaths will be eliminated and any rise in the paths will be hardly perceptible. It is expected that, the work will be completed within a month."

WINTER SHOW BUILDINGS (To the Editor.) Sir. —Walking round the Centennial Exhibition and getting footsore. I wandered into the General Exhibits Hall and sat down on a canvas chair so nicely provided. Looking up at the heavy and lofty timbered building, with its canopy roof and plenty of daylight, I let my thoughts drift. In fancy 1 saw one of Mr Semple's gadgets lift this building in its claws and bear it over the Rimutakas to Masterton. placing it on a Trust Lands Trust section. What a boon to this town the building would be for flower, dog, and poultry shows, sports of all kinds, interhouse marching, and drill exercises. Finally a Carnival Week or Winter Show. If memory serves me right, a sum of money was collected for this project. Can you. Mr Editor, tell us the amount and where it is located? Now, MiMayor of the town, you are "pally" .with the directors of the Exhibition. How about my dream coming true? — I am. etc. "HOPEFUL."

At a public meeting held some considerable time ago. the sum mentioned by our correspondent—an amount of upwards of £5OO at the time of transfer —was made available for the equipment and furnishing of the restored Opera House. —Ed.

THAT WATER SUPPLY (To the Editor.) Sii —Letters have been appearing in the "Times-Age" with different schemes and costs for a better water supply. Every one to my mind is too expensive and a heavy burden for ratepayers to sanction. From the upper reaches of the Waingawa River a heavy seepage of water flows under this town and re-enters the Ruamahanga River. On what was the property of Mr W. B. Channels, in Short Street, a wonderful spring exists, gushing forth thousands of gallons of clear waler which is running to waste, while in' Masterton people are penalised. The council should ofl'er the sum of £5OO to any individual or company who can bore a successful artesian water supply in any part of the borough. Many private concerns and other towns (Pahiatua, for instance) have made artesian wells a success. Why not Masterton? Give it a trial—l am. etc. "CANNY."