THE SUBWAY

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 305, 29 June 1909, Page 8

THE SUBWAY

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — Your correspondent, John H. Faixlmrst, is, I believe^ a contractor, and is no "doubt looking forward to secure the subway contract and making money by it; so it is very natural that he should favor it. . The only statement in his letter that requires a reply from me is: That the Railway Department is willing to spend a considerable amount on a crossing — a thing they would- not do if it was not absolutely required ! Very well ! what' was. the Premier's reply to the deputation who brought the matter before him in the first place? If I remember right "Not needed, an unnecessary amount of money, etc." That was sometime before the generalelection. After tbe election things were -somewhat changed. . They saw Mr "Hairs seat had become very shaky, and muSvfc be strengthened at any cost. Demos was getting dissatisfied with the .Government, and wanted some more public money spent in the town. Well, when Demos howls, the politiciaoi trembles; his knees begin to knock together. Certainly, Demos must be propitiated ! Cereberus must have, his cake! Ah yes! We cotinted too mucli on the loyalty of Dannevirke, and it vei'j 7 nearly cost us a, vote; we must see to that subway.. Other deportations meet -other. Ministers; ..the result is more favorable, but times are hard, and money tight, and a bridge is resolved on as cheaper. But Demos is not satisfied, he wants the. subway or nothing, but he is told he must put his hand in his own pocket and contribute the difference in the cost ; but Demos does not believe in that way of doing business. He rather favors the operation of putting, his hand in another party's pocket, so the Borough Council is approached, and they are weak enough to agree, provided' ways, and means are found to make such payment lawful, all <.f which is promised, and so the subway will be made ; but I vei/ture to think that if Mr Hall had beeri elected by the' usual majority the- Government would have given Dannevirke neither ■subway or bridge. And just here let me say that I would not object to them spending twice the sum if they wish, but I do object to our councillors wasting the ratepayers' money in a subway when they cannot, or will not, give a, large proportion of them the convenience of the sewerage, although they have to pay for it all the same. I have expressed my views on the subway, and showed that an exjjendit-ure of £50 would have given a nmeh better way for Avestsiders to get to the station, and jio one was able or willing to controvert them. I think that ratepayers would thank Mr Fairhurst if he would enumerate a dozen 'or s6 of the- many natural advantages possessed by the proposed bath site, and I believe that ratepayers should know what weighty arguments were pressed on certain - councillors to make, them change their minds so suddenly. — I am, etc., X, GREGG. Ruahine street (which,*! believe, is in Dannevirke), 29th June, 1909.