TOWN-PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND WATER SUPPLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10688, 7 September 1920, Page 2

TOWN-PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND WATER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor, "N.Z. Times.") Sir, —Had you read our resolution on the water supply item of the loan schedule more caretully you would no doubt have chosen some other subject for your sub-leader in Saturday morning's issue. The resolution reads as follows; "While prepared to support the loan item for water this association protests against the principle of the City Council entering into any contract without first obtaining, the consent of "the ratepayers to a loan for such work, and without having first called public tenders for the same." We certainly had no thought of protesting against the plan adopted for the carrying' out of this necessary work; as a matter of fact the gentleman who moved the . resolution ' made it clear during the discussion that he considered Messrs Semple and Co. would do the job better an 4 cheaper than any other party, and while this is, of course, his personal opinion, probably be is right. • However, that's not the point. It is the-principle of entering into any, large contract without first calling public tenders and before the loan ia authorised that the Town-Planning Association protests against, and we think everyone will agree that this principle is, to say the least, risky. Your so-called 'fair" conclusion that the Town-Planning Association does not want any addition to the water supply is as unjust as it is uncalled for, as we stated quite plainly elsewhere in your paper that we were urging- our members to support the complete scheme. As for the rest of your sub-leader, we will not trespass upon vour space to reply to it, as your article is based upon an ■unquestionably -wrong interpretation of our resolution, and we trust to your sense of justice to see that the association is placed in its proper light hefore your readers. • . R. HILL, Secretary.