CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1835, 10 November 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

WAIRAKAPA ROADS. (To the Editor.) Sir, -In your report of the interview of the deputation with the Minister of Public Works you have made the cost of completion of tho line to Eketuhuna L 13.500. It should have been LI 35,000* When it is considered that the total cost of the line to Woodville is estimated at L 300,000, it .is manifest that the present expenditure of L 25.000 is an unimportant fraction, and that no harm whatever will accrue to the colony from the abandonment for the present, of the works at this stage. The money has been spent in the district, and the earthwork can be left till the better settlement of the county by roads justifies the making of the railway. I am, (fee, R. S. Hawkins.

To the Editor,

Sin, —]n the interest of the public and the men to be employed in building the Waipoua bridge and also of the County Council, I will make a few statements concerning the works in progress on the bank of tho Waipoua. There is erected what is supposed and meant to be a horse machine or gin for raising the piles into position and driving them with a heavy monkey There are no tenons on the affair (above ground at all events), and it is nailed together with a few small wire nails mid spikes, It is the greatest sham that ever I saw. It shows the utter incompetence of every person that has had anything to do with it. The public should know who designed, and under whose supervision it has been formed, for it is an insult to the intelligence of the publio to waste their money in such a senseless manner. The footbridge simply collapsed, but this machine is liable to smash up to the danger of the lives of the men employed. If a person is killed through ÜBing improper machinery there may lay a cuso of manslaughter against Bouieono, or if a man lost a limb he would recover a large sum as compensation in a case of this sort and the Council may get into liabilities they nover thought of. I also noticed if a pile ought to be shod at a particular end it has been done at the reverse end there is one pile 2G, 14x12 containing 360 ft, costing with tho labor done on it close on three pounds, which is quite unfit for the purpose intended, and cannot be used. 1 hope all the Counillors all the contractors, all the experts, and as many of the public as wish to satisfy themsolves, will take a walk to the Waipoua, and see for themselves, and if the Councillors want an explanation I will accompany them ou to the works and give it gratis, I cannot believe Mr King had to do with the above works until I know different, I am &c, William Fuancis,