THE WATTEMATA RATEPAYER AND THE TAKAPUNA WHARF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8878, 14 May 1892, Page 3

THE WATTEMATA RATEPAYER AND THE TAKAPUNA WHARF.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,ln a late issue of your paper appeared an account of the meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board at which the members were asked to vote the sum of £300 for the construction of a wharf at Takapuna. In the event of their consenting to do so, the Waitemata County Council, and other people interested, will be asked to subscribe the balance, £180. In the same issue there is a letter from Mr. Wilson, the engineer for the Waitemata County Council, from which the following is an extract : —" The dangerous bridges mentioned have been examined by me every time I pass over them. As no funds are available to make new bridges, they have to be patched up from time to time to withstand the traffic." With the decision of the Harbour Board, the Waitemata ratepayer has little concern — although it would be as reasonable to ask them to contribute handsomely towards a wharf at Waiwera, or half-a-dozen other places up the coast. If, however, eventually the scruples of some of the dissenting members ot the Harbour Board should be overcome, and they weakly decide to vote the money, then it will become a question for the Waitemata ratepayers, as the Waitemata County Council and other interested persons will be required to subscribe the balance. So far as the County Council is concerned, it would be.absurd for them to give the matter any serious consideration, they having at present more than they can cope with in attending to the roads' and bridges, and spending the ratepayers' money in a legitimate manner, without saddling themselves with any fresh liability. Their engineer's letter should prove sufficient to deter the Council from consenting to any money being expended in any direction until these roads, bridges, &c., are in good order aud condition, and until they have freed themselves from debt. The members of the Council are only stewards for the ratepayers, charged by and responsible to them for the control of the public money, to see that it is spent in a judicious manner, in a proper direction, and with the greatest amount of benefit to the Waitemata ratepayers as a body. Clearly they would be shelving their duty if they sanctioned any expenditure on a wharf at Takapuna, and any member voting in that direction should be immediately asked to resign by the electors of his unfortunate district. — am, etc., Another Ratepayer.