BOROUGH MAINTENANCE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2311, 15 March 1930, Page 5

BOROUGH MAINTENANCE

(To the Editor) Sir, —it is interesting indeed to read the Borough Engineer’s reports as represented to the monthly meetings of the Council. Invariably the phrase appears, “The maintenance of the Borough is being well maintained.” It is a very worn-out stock phrase of the engineer’s and is by no means a correct statement of the actual conditions of the ordinary maintenance of the Borough. There are many things that require attention, especially footpaths, water-tables and channellings. 'ln the past few years, and especially of lhte, these have been very badly neglected. Possibly the .fault lies with the' council, but if the Engineer has not had time to look after these things it would seem that with the new sewerage scheme he is going to have far less in the near future, Aye in Cambridge are wont to boast about the appearance of our town, but I, for one, am satisfied that we have little to boast about so far as the appearance of the footpaths and the things I have referred to, are concerned. Ten years ago many of the footpaihs were covered with a good tarred surface, but they have been let go back, until to-day the tarred surface is conspicuous by its absence. In many parts of the Borough, not far from the town, the footpaths are a real disgrace, and it is high time that the Council appreciated this. In some parts of the Borough, workmen are not seen once in six months. If it is a matter of them being employed in the gasworks, then it is time that a little retrenchment was done in other directions so that a little extra labour might be put on the general maintenance of the borough, which is by no means, as well maintained as Mr Dix would have us belfeVc. I could mention streets .and footpaths quite near the town that are in a shocking state of maintenance, but surely the council is aware of their condition. ,In conclusion, Mr Editor, I had hoped that someone more .able with the pen would have taken up this matter ere this. Truly many of the ratepayers *of Cambridge are long suffering. They either don’t care, or else think it is useless asking the council to- get busy and do something. Thanking you for space.— I am, etc., RATEPAYER.