AN ANSWER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18029, 18 January 1923, Page 6

AN ANSWER.

To the Editor of tho “Timaru Herald.” Sir.—ln Monday’s “Herald” I read a letter by “Ratepayer,” who wrote in condemnation of the action of tho Levels County Council in paying off their antecedent liability. As one who takes an interest in watching how the affairs of the Council are conducted, I would.like to point" out that it was the intention of the Council to float a loan which, with sinking fund, would pay off this liability in something like fifteen years. As the Council were near the end of their financial year, and saw they had enough money on hand, I think they did the wise and proper thing in agreeing to pay off the antecedent liability. Why float a loan for money when you have it by you? I would like to remind “Ratepayer* ’ that a large proportion, of the rates he pays goes to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and Harbour Board. I believe something over one third goes to these two local bodies.

As for his comment about our not getting value for our money, and the roads being in a deplorable state, I would like to ask him if he has noted the state of the roads in other parts of the country? It. is true we nave some bad roads, hut on the whole our roads are good, and only recently friends of mine who motored up from Southland, and spent some time about Timaru, spoke in glowing terms of our excellent roads. As far as Levels County is concerned we must not forget the enormous amount of converging traffio which passes over our roads. Everybody coming to Timaru from Waimate, Geraldine, and Mackenzie Counties, travels over the full length of the Levels roads. A few years ago most of the people used to come to town by train, but now they, run in in their cars, an!d grain and goods, which previously were railed are now largely carried by motor lomes. The old orderis changing, and fresh problems have to he faced. „ , I maintain that the Council have a big job in coping with the ever increasing traffio, and I think they deserve, credit for the way they look after the ratepayers’ interests,, and for the close attention they give to the Council a business. —I am, etc., . , „„„ ANOTHER RATEPAYER.