CORRESPONDENCE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Issue 3033, 9 October 1893, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

[The Editor is desirous of affording every feftsonable facility fur the discussion of public •objects, but it must be distinctly understood thai ha is in no way responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.] TOTHB BDITOB. Sib, — From a perusal of your really "killing" report of the proceedings at the Council meeting on Tuesday last, it would almost appear as if I were an opponent of the contract system for maintaining the roads. Such however is not the case. I am thoroughly and entirely in favour of all possible work being done by contract, provided always that such specifications are drawn up as can and shall be faithfully and fully carried out, but I altogether decline to be silently participant in the arrant farce that has been performed in this County for some time past. One example will suffice. Several months ago the Engineer refused to give a certificate, on the ground that certain special essential work, necessary for the proper maintenance of a road, and which had been repeatedly brought to the contractor's notice, had for months been systematically neglected. Of course a personal appeal to the Council was-made.' I proposed, and the proposal was agreed to, 'That two of the Councillors for the riding should, together with the Engmeerand contractor, go over, examine, and report on the section.' l Oh* said one of the Councillors, 'in that case it a foregone conclusion, we shall pay the man,' and he, was paid forthwith. Now how waft .this hasty decision arrived at ? From the K fact that they had travelled ovet the road on a fine day to the meeting and had not perceived it to be in a bad' state. Is that business? It is giving an official of the Council a fair chance? Or isit such treatment as ratepayers have a right to expect from gentleman they hav^elected to serve on the Council, to protect iKeir interests, as trustees*©! their hardly earned money? I say, 'No.' — lam, etc., - Chables A. Pratt. Springfield, October 7th 1393.