BRIGHT STREET, COBDEN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 January 1929, Page 5

BRIGHT STREET, COBDEN.

CTo the Editor.) * Sir, —Your correspondent “Motorist” a few evenings ago complained of the ■ condition of Bright Street, Cobden. I quite agree with him that a grader should be employed when effecting repairs, but no good is done by condemning the Board. The days are gone when members could at will increase bank overdrafts; now local J bodies are limited, and no matter how igood the intentions of Commissioners may be when acepting office, they soon find themselves governed by the same set of circumstances as old members of the Board. Cobden, for its population, has easily the lowest unimprveod value of any town district in the Dominion. At the inception of rating or unimproved value the Town Board should have inspected the valuation to see that it was equitably levied, and where it was below the selling value, the Board to obtain power to increase it. There are instances where sections on which substantial homes are erected, and the value is £ sQj,which,-afillgd in £ means that the ratepayer has less than £2 10/- to pay the Board, to meet lighting, hospital levy and general maintenance. An unimproved value of £lOO would not be too much, particularly for high land alongside a road. I admit inaccessible lands should, according to distance from roads, be rat-

ed on a pro rata basis. To-day, revenue is being lost; but, if the Board had the power, it would be manifestly unfair, to section holders paying rates on £lOO and over, to levy a special rate to meet estimated expenditure; it is even unfair to further increase the bank overdraft until equitable valuations are made. Comparatively little revenue is derived from motor traffic; the last balance shee showed £l4 odd in motor licenses, though since then the Board receives increased heavy traffic fees. But the Board wisely engages a traffic inspctor to control “Motorist” and protect his life and those of others he might otherwise endanger. It might interest “Motorist” to know that it costs about £1 a, day to maintain the right-of-way, as he calls Bright Street, so he may see that the greater portion of expenditure has to be met by ratepayers. Possibly the Board could hire a grader, to put the main street in uniform condition, and enable motor traffic to be conducted more smoothly. I am, etc., —•

OLD IDENTITY. Cobden, January 26.