"SHOCKING APATHY"

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 759, 4 September 1929, Page 6

"SHOCKING APATHY"

LOAN REJECTION CAUSES DISAPPOINTMENT MOUNT ROSKILL AFFAIRS “It is a matter of grave disappointment that when questions for the progress of the district are placed before ratepayers so few of them should take the trouble to vote,” said the chairman of the Mount Roskill Road Board at its meeting last evening. Mr. Jones considered that, as only 400 votes had been recorded on proposals to borrow £128,000, it disclosed shocking apathy. •'lf those/’ he said, “who were criticising the board’s efforts in the Press were not satisfied, let them co. forward at the elections next May and replace the present members. It certainly is not much inducement for public men who give their time to furthering the progress of the district to have their proposals practically ignored.” Mr. G. E. Tansley ascribed the failure of the road loan to the adverse vote recorded at Greenwood’s Corner. The residents in that area, he pointed out, had benefited by a considerable reduction in rates under the unimproved value system and they had promised to support loans for other areas in the district. They had good roads and efficient transport and apparently did not care for the remainder of the district. The clerk was instructed that when advising the Main Highways Board of the rejection of the Mount AJbert Road Loan, to inquire whether it would grant a subsidy for concreting that portion of Mount Albert Road between Vincent Street and Guy’s store. An invitation by the Onehunga Borough Council to attend a conference on September 30 to discuss the question of street collections was accepted. In dealing with the subject, Mr. E. F. Jones described street collections as a “pest to business people.” Messrs. S. Scarborough and R. W. Sanl't were appointed to attend the conference. The clerk was instructed to furnish the Hospital Board with the amounts raised for unemployment relief, together with the subsidies paid thereon by the Government. On the motion of Mr. G. E. Tansley it was decided to ask the Onehunga Borough Council for monetary assistance in maintaining the road to the Hillsborough Cemetery. Mr. Tansley pointed out that the board was called upon to pay for the upkeep of this road whilo the borough council derived profits from the cemetery to which the road led. The Auckland Automobile Association wrote suggesting that, as white lines were more effective and safer for both pedestrian afrd motor traffic than traffic domes, the board should adopt that system. The chairman, Mr. E. F. Jones, pointed out that, as the district controlled but one dome, the question should be deferred. This was agreed to.