CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 93, 22 April 1925, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE

CITY WORKS

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, —There is a growing feeling of uneasiness in the minds of a large section of citizens that the City Council is, designedly or otherwise, seeking to obscure certain necessary public works by the simple expedient of burying them under a mass of reports which in the main confuse rather than enlighten It will be remembered that in 1920 a loan schedule of nearly two million pounds for "necessary" works was approved hv the ratepayers, of which sum considerably less than half has been expended to date. From time to time spasmodic reference is made to such important works as the eastern suburbs tunnel improved transit facilities to the western suburbs, access to Roseneath, etc etc., but no definite conclusion is reacned, and, consequently, after a few nays spent in generalisations, the veil of mystery and silence is once a»ain dominant, Such being the current position of affairs, it seems ludicrous that ratepayers should be asked to add a further £200,000 to the bill, without receiving some clear-cut pronouncement as to what the position really is concerning the authorised works which are still in the air" in connection with the 1920 programme. There is much talk from prospective candidates for council honours as to what the future has in store tor Wellington, but, to my mind, it will be necessary for all concerned to seek definite information concerning the early fulfilment of the 1920 programme, and cast their votes for those candidates who give a definite assurance that the reign of dilly-dally will end as soon ls they gam a seat at the council table. Rightly or wrongly, a large section of ■ the burgesses have arrived at the conclusion that at present the tail wags the dog; in other words, that the council permits its staff to dictate its policy. The work of the city .has reached too large a. scale for such an impression to be even thought of, and it will be the paramount duty of the incoming council to lay down such a policy of progressive, do-it-now service as will entirely remove such a suggestion from tho minds cf their fellow-citizens.—l am, etc., HATAITAI.