WAIPARA COUNTY ROADS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17881, 29 August 1918, Page 6

WAIPARA COUNTY ROADS.

TO TUK EDITOR. Sir, —With reference to the proposed road maintenance scheme to be submitted to the Waipara County Council. In bringing down the scheme, I wish it made clear, as I did at Hawarclen on Monday evening, that I am not doing it in a spirit of complaint or abuse, of the council, but with a view to assist them to solve a difficult problem. The difficulties, as an ex-coun-cillor, I am well aware of, and they have been made increasingly hard because of the war.

During my term of office Hie council went in for economy with a view to release ns many men as possible to go to the war, or work on the land. There was a feeling that there might be a period of depression and unemployment after the war, when it was contemplated that road work and other schemes could be pushed on with. But no one anticipated the war lasting so long, and it appears to me that the timo has now come when a greater endeavour will have to be made to save the roads from serious consequences.

The question of bouses for married men was brought up in the council by Mr T. E. L. Roberts and myself. As a result the only available house was secured for a married roadman with, I believe, beneficial results, 'lie high cost and the thought that the war might soon be over, caused tlie deferment of any building scheme, which was just casually considered, but it now looks as if wo should lose more on our roads than we would on the houses if the scheme is not taken up at once.— I am, etc., HENRY H. HOLLAND.