Ratepayer's Complaint Criticised

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1938, Page 2

Ratepayer's Complaint Criticised

“On first coming lo*Northland seven years ago, I cotfid not. understand the lack of assistance given to the county by the average settler,” wrote Mr F. C. H. Cowan, in a letter to the Whangarei County Council today, “but if they have had similar experiences to the writer over the metalling of tips road, their apathy Is well accounted for.” Mr Cowan protested the delay in the metalling of Foster's IJoad. He had given men and horses to assist the grader, while his men had dug the drains for culverts and filled in one or two wet pieces of road.

“It is now 12 months since the grader first commenced the formation for metalling,” the letter went on, “and the job is still uncompleted, although I have interviewed the engineer on several occasions, and received sidestepping replies. Left Unfinished. “In early December, the grader was within three-quarters of a mile of the job, upon which only one day’s work was required, but the machine was shifted again, leaving the metalling unfinished.” “Since I have been on the council, I have heard several similar letters read, but this is the first that has affected my own riding,” commented the county chairman, Mr J. A. S. MacKay. “Usually this type of letter does not come from our large ratepayers; there are men round this table that are paying £IOO and more annually, and from them we teceiv.e few complaints.

“It is usually the small and well-treated ratepayer, who writes letters of this kind. “I know the circumstances of this case particularly well. The property was originally taken up by Mr Foster, of Whangarei, in an isolated spot, not roaded when I became member. Since then a good formation has been provided. Small Contribution.

“Last year we spent £233 for metalling, £75 of which came from riding funds, and today, although the grant authority has not been received as yet, we are calling tenders for a further £ 150 worth of metalling, in .order that it might be spread at the earliest possible moment. “When you hear a letter -of this kind,” McMacKay continued, “you naturally think that Mr Cowan is con-' tributing a large sum. His total contribution in rates is £l/9/9. Part of this goes to the upkeep of main, roads, portion to the maintenance of the hospital, and the remainder is available for expenditure on this particular road.” Gr. F. Elliott: Enough to buy a wheelbarrow. The chairman: I am prepared to spend the whole of the rates paid by Mr Cowan on the road. Of all the people in the county > who should not write a letter of this kind, Mr Cowan is the one.” I Side-stepping Denied. J / The engineer, Mr W. Norris, gave a definite denial to the charge cf sidestepping levelled against him. The Government grant had been insufficient to pay even for the metal, and the council had borne the cost of spreading, laying pipes and grading. Mr Cowan had given assistance freely, both with men and. horses, but had thought that the grader should be made available whenever he wanted it. “I never gave a promise to Mr 1 Cowan that was not fulfilled,” Mr j Norris said, I The chairman: Mr Norris is not in i the habit of giving side-stepping j promises. That is not one of hir j faults. •

Later, Gr. F. Elliott substantiated the chairman’s remark. “Mr Norris has never side-stepped me regarding the use of graders,” he said. “Graders are wanted here, there and everywhere, and we must all wait our turn.