A REPLY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1695, 7 June 1884, Page 3

A REPLY

TO THE EDITOE.

Sir, — I feel bound to take exception to the i-emnrks of your Katikati correspondent in your issue of 26th inst. A public meeting of the Roud Board is the most convenient opportunity for drawing- pnblio attention to whatever concerns the settlers. So far as my memory serves me, the clerk of the Road Board wished [to notice the previously used timber going into new bridges, not with a view to east a slur on his old friend, the contractor, for these bridges, but as showing how the foiinty Council appear to bo trying to dodge in the matter of expending the last loan. Anyone going along the road from here to Tauranga can see that it has not been usual to tar new bridges ; in fact, there are a good many that have been up some years which would be much the better of a coat. The old Rereatukahia Bridge was only up a very few years. As a matter o^ course, most of the timber would do again, as good as new ; but why does the County Council seek to conceal how much, is new or old ? Why do they instruct their usually courteous clerk to send a crooked answer to a civil question, when a ratepayer asks what is being done with the balance of the last loan ? Surely they have not overlooked the 47th clause of the Boads and Bridges Construction Act? These are questions which it concerns every Katikati ratepayer to have answered, and if we only hold together we shall get them answered to some purpose. * Your correspondent brings a charge against the Road Board of giving a contract illegally. This is simply untrue. Mr Simms' tender was the only one received for the Tuapiro footbridge, and was naturally accepted. Under the 28, 29, and 30 sections of the Road Board Act, it is illegal for a member of a road board to take a contract from the same body, but, as is only reasonable, there is nothing to prevent an officer of the Board from taking whatever employment may offer. If your correspondent will be so land as to attend the next meeting of the Road Board, on the 14th June, 1 will be glad to show him the acts, and to give him every information, as to out* d.oings, in my power, as we at least have nothing' to conceal. — I am, &c,

HxraH Stewaet, (late Captaiu R. A.), Chairman Katikati Road Board, Athenry, Katikati, May 30, 84.