A COUNTY MATTER.

Northern Advocate, 13 November 1917, Page 1

A COUNTY MATTER.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln your issue of Tuesday, 6th November, a report appears of a meeting of ratepayers held at Hukerenui on November 2, in which reference is made to a circular issued in the district in regard to dispensing with the services of the County engineer during war time. The writer states that more engineering work is required in low-lying country where the roads aro so much under water, etc. As the circular referred to was issued by me, and as the above-mentioned report appears in your paper will you kindly grant me space to briefly comment on it? What I stated was: As there appears to bo no likelihood of much new work being undertaken during the ensuing year, I consider that the engineer's services could be dispensed with for at least that time." _ I made no suggestions that his services should be dispensed with for the duration of the war. I should like to ask your correspondent how often the engineer is in Hukerenui during flood time, or at any other time excepting when the roads are dry enough and smooth enough for him to travel by motor car; also how he suggests effecting the improvements to the roads requiring engineering skill, out of the very limited amount available for the purpose. If I had had>the opportunity to attend the meeting referred to, I don't think my circular would have been so adversely criticised as your correspondent states was the case. The meeting appears to have been held for the purpose of obtaining details from the councillor and engineer in regard to certain quarries, from which metal could be obtained to do some urgent work somewhere; "where" is not stated. It appears to me that there was also a little electioneering work interpersed with the above-mentioned details. —I am, etc.,

FRANK ELLIOTT