THE CITY AND AVONDALE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 225, 21 September 1921, Page 7

THE CITY AND AVONDALE.

(To the Editor.) I Sir. —I trust "0.5." when writing on - the above subject will spare the blushes - of the ratepayers of Newmarket, when ' he tells us wo" live in the model borough of the Dominion; we are apt to get swelled heads. We ratepayers of the island borough enjoy many valuable privileges through our proximity to the city, for which we pay nothing. For instance, this model borough has no park, the ratepayers of Auckland provide that right in our midst, also gardens, tennis grounds, etc.; no reading room or library. Why should we have such a convenience'; It would simply be overlapping the City Libraries. The city also provided us with a splendid bridge, for which wo also paid nothing, although it enabled the Council to rate property in the vicinity at best city rates. The city supplies us with water, f or which we pay 100 per cent more than the city consumer, and the owner of a decent cottage pays about 300 per cent more than he would pay in Mount Albert, but you must pay for the luxury of living in a model borough. Our councillors also enjoy the valuable privilege of severely criticising everything the city councillors do with regard to running the trams, etc., without incurring any risk of financial loss or disaster. This is a considerable advantage, as you need only look at one side of the question, and it's a worry to look at both sides. "0.5." says we have no slums. What is a slum, anyway? If it is an area of very small and congested habitations I am afraid we will have to plead guilty. . Unfortunately for mc, a very few years ago this model borough had no building laws whatever, and there is nothing more conducive :t.o congestion than that. The island borough might aspire to be' a model spot when it takes its place in the affairs of the city, with which it is so closely associated, and pays for all its privileges like the city ratepayer. At present its rates are much the same as the city, and unfortunately by remaining an island borough it will get nowhere. No large scheme of roading such as Gillies Avenue can be carried out by small-pocket boroughs for the obvious reason that it is beyond their means, and the consequence is a policy of tinkering and patching, which is absolute waste. Newmarket, with its bumpy roads, is far from being a model, and when T read the "0.5." panegyric I at once signalled. s.o.s. (To the Editor.) Sir, —T was very pleased to read a letter in last Friday's "Star." signed '"0.5." I particularly agree with him in the absolute necessity for a ratepayers' association to have some sort of check on tbe extravagance and waste of the present council. We never seem to be able to get them on the carpet to ask any questions or to criticise any of their •loings. Some months ago their men came to the street that I live in to tar and sand a couple of small footpaths. | There were many loads of shell brought land tipped in a big heap, and left there until a large part was kicked about and wasted. Then carts came and took what was left away. That seems lo" be their policy all over the district. A few weeks ago casual workmen came and ploughed up a piece of the main road just above the Newmarket boundary. They put a heavy coat of metal on, had the steam roller at work, and formed a very nice i piece of road. But another gang came ! along a week or two after and spoilt the i whole thing. I believe to get out some : old water pipes that were in the road. Every job that I have seen done in the ' suburbs has cost double what it should. Again I quite agree with '"0.5." on the absurdity of absorbing all these road boards. It is a policy that benefits neither party, and gives the Mayor the excuse to foist more loans on the over- ■ burdened ratepayers. When Epsom was ! drawn into the net, Mr. Gunson made a

promise that the rates would be no more, if anything a little less. That is cnly a few years ago; but everyone that I usk about their rates all say that thoy pay almost double, while the roads are not as well kept as under the road board. — 1 am, etc., CITY RATEPAYER.