PUBLIC WORKS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 7964, 19 April 1922, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS

(To the Editor). Sir,—l have read with interest Col. Ward's letter on the above subject appearing in your yesterday's issue. From the point of view taat Col. Ward takes of the subject, his letter is a very fair and well reasoned presentation of the case. While admitting that Col Ward's long and intimate acquaintance with the Bay of Plenty and its needs, and th? leading position that he holds in the councils of the people of the Bay and the town of Tauranga, entitle his expressed opinions to more than ordinary consideration and deference, I must ask leave, as the one who mooted " The Bridge Only " cry in the Borough Council, to further explain my point.

In looking for the one subject on which I thought general approval would be expressed, I had to take into consideration the ex pressed policy of the Government regarding the East Coast Railway. The Minister has told the country that as a matter of policy, the Cabinet has decided not to proceed at present with the construction ot that portion of the line extending from Tauianga westwards, and at the same lime, and as part of the same policy he has expressed the determination to push on the construction of the line from Tauranga eastwards, including, inferential! y, the completion of the Harbour Bridge. My point of view is that we should take the' line of least resistance. The Minister thinks the Bridge should be builj before the Waihi railway. Let us agree with him, and urge him. to complete the bridge now. Let us point out every conceivable advantage that would accrue from building the bridge, except the one outstanding feature, namely that the completion of the bridge will be the strongest argument that can be brought to bear to urge the completion of the line from Tatranga westwards. To urge the pushing on of the Waihi connection, against the declared settled policy of the Cabinet, arrived at after consultation with, and confirmed by the heads of the Minister’s department, appears to me to be a mistake, and an action very much in the nature of kicking against the pricks. Let the Minister have his way and we may ail the sooner gel ours. The other point that Col, Ward raises, although im portant, is, I think, one more between the Harbour Board and the Department. —J am, etc., WALTER W. JONES, Tauranga, April 19th, 1922