CORRESPONDENCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 302, 25 June 1909, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE SUBWAY

(To the Editor.)

. Sir.— ln reference to your lcade^ , on the above sxibject in your of the 21st inst., I notice *iiat you are somewhat jubilant over the result of the Mission io Wellington, and subsequent treatment by the Bo'vovtgh Covmcil. Yon say— the subway will be a benefit to the* town as a whole, it is only just therefore, that the money should bo found through the rates, and by this means the willing horse will for once be given a little rest. — Sir, I deny that the subway will be a benefit to the town as a wliole. I believe that nineteen out of every twenty ratepayers wilLnever use it, that it will neither add to the beauty or enhance the value of the town by" one pemry piece, that it is being constructed solely for tho benefit of a few ratepayers and outsiders to give them a short cut between their homes and places of business. I suppose your reference to the willing horse having a little rest, _ refers to the Mayor's suggestion, that they who will ' benefit by tho subway should contribute towards its cost, and is intended to make people believe that there are a number of such jrablie spirited men in Danncvirke, who have been so noble and generous heretofore, in til oir gifts and works, for the benefifc of the town, that it is really expecting too much from them to go on wasting their substance and energy for the good of the town as a whole,' thereby neglecting their own private interest. If there be any such *n Dannevirke, I leave it to your readers to find out what public monuments they have reared to perpetuate their, name. I*can believe- that there arc a number of willing horses, willing to scheme and manoeuvre, that tho many shall pay for benefits' -to the few, and it would be a good thing for Dannevirke if they coxild be given a rest, aaid a good long one too. Yes, by all means" give the willing horse a rest, and let the dumb and blind asses bear all the burdens it pleases him to lay on them. Le-b mo. remind' these asses that their contribution to the subway is not £300, but £600, for whichever way the payment of any sum by the Borough is legalised, the subway will have to be maintained and lighted by the Borough; «nd the lights alone will cost- £15 per year, which means interest on an additional loan of £300. Sir, you also congratulate ! the Borough Councillors on the- busi-ness-like manner in which they have I

dealt with the m^^ and llO])e it will prove a >^ ppy angury for tho successful K aftsactkm of fllture busi . ness. ,sll^ your hope was realised " °,«t> it was committed to paper, «c£'iM;ss the most business-like way ( ?) ' in which they dealt with the batli question immediately afterwards; councillors Whom a month before voted to rescind tlie motion, that .Dr Dawson's lot bo purchased for a. bath site, stultify themselves by an aboutface, and vote for a motion to purchase same ! Sir, they are the men Dannevirke delights to honor, soft putty men on whom the hand that touches leaves its impression, which just lasts until touched by another hand. — I am, etc., R. GREGG. Ituahine street, June 22nd, 1909.