BIRKENHEAD AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19918, 11 April 1928, Page 12

BIRKENHEAD AFFAIRS.

Sir.—We learn that in lieu of serious consideration having been given to the provision of recognised necessities in a growing suburb, the ratepayers of Birkenhead are to be asked to (sanction by poll loan expenditure tc cover matters of altogether secondary importance. The health authorities have frequently urged the installation of a sewerage system in place of the highly unsatisfactory and antiquated methods. The Mayor has consistently opposed the right of those most concerned to exercise their vote on this question, and it would now appear that in framing the forthcoming loan proposals, he considers a municipal swimming bath at the site of the only feasible outfall to be of greater importance, and this, despite the fact that the simple requirements of bathers in the erection of a dressing shed has been denied them. Again, Birkenhead has no fire protection. Yet a loan for ornate municipal boat, lockers 13 deemed to meet the needs of the community to a greater extent. Streets paved in bitumen have proved the value of this more permanent method of construction, both in the saving of maintenance charges and in the superior surface for traffic. Yet, in place of the extension of bitumen to our secondary streets, a playing area, not readily accessible to the majoritv of the ratepayers, is given preference. It is sincerely to be hoped that when the time arrives for these questions to be settled by vote the citizens of Birkenhead will stop to consider whether necessities or comparative luxuries should come first, with the certainty that, if the latter be chosen, the necessities will have to follow, with a consequent further increase in the rates. Executive, Birkenhead Residents and Ratepayers* Association.