BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1943, Page 4

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

(To the Editor) Sir,—Most people like to start the New Year with good resolutions, but our council is slacking in this respect as far as the town itself is concerned. Take our footpaths. How -many people, with thin soles on their shoes, have cursed the gravel and the council for doing such stupid things. An example—Cole and Pownall street paths. Then we have a foundation of a building overgrown with weeds, next the Y.M.C.A., awaiting the Mayor to lay the foundation stone. There is plenty of broken marble and brick for the occasion, so, Mr Mayor, get going and finish the building, as it is, and will be, an eyesore for all time. A few years ago we were beguiled to vote a loan of £ll,OOO for an “adequate water supply.” On the first fine day come hosing restrictions and money, like water, is washed away, especially that of the ratepayers. Now a Municipal Band is supposed to exist and we pay three hundred note§ every year, but get very few in return. 'Surely, like other bands, they should go into recess for the duration of the war and put the money to more practical use. Then comes to my mind the cemetery—what a tragedy to see people in the autumn of their lives, clutching a few flowers in one hand, a stick, in the other, stumbling along those boulder paths to visit their loved ones’ graves. Surely, from the richest plot of earth in town, a few pounds could be spent to tar and sand a threefoot track down the main paths. As for weeds, well I had better not express myself. Finally we have that burning ques-tion-chimney repairs. Our member for the district said: “Comfort ye, it will be 0.K.” What a dream! Mayor and councillors are pledged to look after the interests of this town in every way and now they should stand the brunt and pay out of their own pockets any deficit that arises from proven overcharges for our rebuilding of chimneys and repairs. Hoping that 1943 will bring some improvement.—I am, etc., RATEPAYER. Masterton, January 29.