THE NORTHLAND TUNNEL

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 210, 1 June 1926, Page 8

THE NORTHLAND TUNNEL

ARE THE RATEPAYERS ASLEEP? Sir,—Your leader thii morning on the Northland tunnel question should meet with the warmest apireciation from every ratepayer. But 1 don’t think it goes quite far enough. A great part of the blame for civic blunders must be laid at the doors of the ratepayers themselves. If they will elect men of inexperience in financial matters, or men without any business or technical experience, then they -an taking it lyiug down," and we deserve all that is coming to us. mer * of the gab” is not sufficient tc warrant eleotion —though I am nfran it too often. IS- But the present seems a most opportune time to have a thirough investigation and overhaul of oir chief spending department. In fact I feel that it would be a very gross injustice to our future city engineer f it was left to him to reorganise the sail. I suggest that the comnission who reported so fearlessly on tin Northland scandal should be reappoint'd with full powers to act. ' . Amongst other matters, thejr might be empowered to sift the cost of he Orongorongo tunnel. IVhat did it cost? What ought it to have cost’Why was there no provision made for he necessary pipe lines to be in plae? How much have the ratepayers lostin interest on the imperfect job? Tiere are many other big expenditures viich require a big lot of explanation. Sir, one of the saddest aspects of our present civic muddlement is theapparent lack of interest on the part 0 those chiefly interested—ratepayers. Can t you waken them t.pr Bip your l?n in gall for once. —I £.m, etc.,