TOWN AFFAIRS.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 29, 20 March 1906, Page 2

TOWN AFFAIRS.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —I have read with interest certain comments made from time to time by the Waipukurau Press on matters dealing with town improvements, etc., but I cannot agree with all the remarks made, though I admit some have been in their proper place. Some time ago you hailed withsatisfaction the fact that the main street was to be re-tarred and put in order. Now, I don’t think the system adopted is a good one ; the footpath that has been retarred seems to be in a worse state than it was before the work began. The path seems to be dusty and loose, and the gravel or sand or whatever it is has not congealed with the tar, and is likely to remain loose and spongy, at anyrate for a long time to come. lam not an expert, and don’t want to give advice, but would like to say this: that in other towns I have always noticed that the tar is first boiled, then poured over the gra’.el; the tarred gravel is spread and rolled down hard, and the whole soon sets. I think the roller in use by the Town Board quite heavy enough for the purpose. Perhaps before further work of this kind is undertaken the city fathers will see the wisdom of following the lead of older places, and try their plan. Your remarks about old buildings and uncultivated sections might be appropriate to some townships, but hardly apply here, as I know of no “ rookeries ” that ought to be demolished in the interest of the public safety. If any such exist and are a menace, the district health officer has power to order their destruction. As to unoccupied town sections, these are an unavoidable evil in all communities, and must exist until a town develops sufficiently to utilise them. As far as Waipukurau is concerned, any owners would find it a profitable “ spec.” to build dwelling houses on them; houses are scarce, and for those let, pretty high rents seem to be demanded. Another matter that has been mentioned I quite fall in with, viz., a separate road on which to drive live stock through the towm Numerous sales are held in this vicinity, and in the course of a month some thousands of bead of cattle, sheep and horses are driven through the main street in one direction or another. These principal thoroughfares can never be kept in good order while this is allowed to be done, and there seems no reason why one or more of the surburban roads could not be declared roads through which loose stock must be driven ; the lay of the roads is especially favourable to this being done without much trouble or any expense. Just one more little growl, and then I’ll shut up. In your issue of Friday last, it was stated that the Waipawa County Council intended to erect toll-gates at a number of different centres. This is not so. What the Council intends to do is to .levy a special tax on heavy timber waggons, to partly compensate for the damage such heavy traffic does to the roads —a fair proposition, I think. Thanking you in anticipation of seeing my letter published without alteration, — I am, etc., Town and County Ratepayer. [We desire to say that this paper never praised nor advocated the system of tarring now being persued. As to the toll-gates, we gleaned the information from one of the Napier papers, which mentioned toll-gates, not waggon toll ; that’s why we expressed surprise. As to decrepit buildings, well, these are not far to seek.—Ed.]