CORRESPONDENCE.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 102, 16 April 1912, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(Out correspondents opinions are theU own; the responsibility of editorial items makes sufficient ballast for the editor's shoulders. It is necessary that all letters for publication should bear the name of the writer—not necessarily fot publication, but as evidence of good faith.)

TO THE EDITOR, SIR—I recently expressed through your columns my appreciation of the efforts of the local Chamber of Commerce, which institution is, or ought to be, hand in hand with the Town Board in every endeavour for the betterment of the town. As I said on that occasion, I am not a member of the Chamber of Commerce, but, as an outsider, I watch and appreciate its recommendations, and hope at no far distant date to become a member and do my share of the good work its members are now doing. But I wish to-day to refer to the resolution passed at its last meeting, and which, by the way, was “received” (which means ignored) by the Town Board, to the effect that the roads and footpaths of the town, in view of the incoming winter, be put in a better state of repair. When the Town Board “Received” that recommendation, I, with others, was of opinion that the Board would think better of its lack of courtesy, and would at least keep the subject if not the letter out of the wastepaper basket. On this idea I was apparently wrong if the experience of the past five weeks counts for anything. The Station Road footpath is in a deplorable state. Not only is the work left half completed, but unsightly and dangerous mounds are allowed to remain unattended. It will be well to remembeiithat the contract for this work was let some seven or eight months ago, and here we find the Board, notwithstanding the delay, allowing the' contractor a further extension of time. Is it that the Board’s funds are exhausted (and they «cannot be unless the prescribed overdraft is fully availed of) or is it that its endeavour to get men prove fruitless. Maybe it is only the same old trouble, “ Taihoa.” There is a screw loose somewhere. Other towns can have municipal works completed within a reasonable time, and surely there should be no serious obstacle in the way for the local authorities at Te Awamutu. This Railway Road footpath, while serving a large number of ratepayers, is on the main entrance to the town and should therefore be made to look uniform, and at least safe,instead of impressing the visitor—as it does at present—as a dumping ground for spare . loads of clay, and an excellent medium for extracting money from the coffers of accident insurance companies. The representations of.the Chamber were worthy of the Board’s attention. The incoming winter, with our badly-lighted streets, will mean considerable inconvenience, but the Board can and should assist ratepayers by a wise expenditure of a portion of its funds on footpaths. I trust the Chamber will again urge forward this matter. It commends itself to all except, apparently, the Town Board.—l am, etc., Looker-on. [ll “ Looker-on ” were to join the Chamber of Commerce he would then be able to do his “ fair share of the work” necessary to further the town’s interests. As it is he gives the impression of being a talkei (though sensible we admit, rather than a worker. He should join the Chamber ol Commerce and start “riglv now” to carry his share of the load—ED. W.P.]