RIVER AND OTARANOHO ROADS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 28 November 1935, Page 6

RIVER AND OTARANOHO ROADS

Sir,—I would like to ask the ratepayers how long they they are going to tolerate the existing administration in connection with the above roads. Since the river road was handed over to the County Council by the Public Works Department the deterioration has been of serious detrimental nature. I Mate, without Restitution that 50 per cent, of the reqent damage could have been averted if culverts and watertables had been inspected and necessary work carried out in anticipation of the winter rains. I am not making any reflection against the permanent men working, as their lengths are far too long to be able to give the road adequate attention. The Waimarino County with organised relief labour, has during the past few years kept the roads in first class order. Why cannot the Wanganui Council do the same? There is no supervision and very little inspection work carried out, Messrs. Bamber and Symes’ recent application in stating that there was no fault to find with the council’s work on the Otoranoho Road was absolutely not. There has been no work of a permanent character

carried out on what is known as the “slippery face” for over 10 years. This portion of the road, to my knowledge, for the past 25 years has been an annual recurring expenditure, where practically all the rates have been sunk, and the position to-day is worse than ever. Surely this is an absolute disgrace to any engineer. The council’s work could be carried out by any capable foreman and a considerable revenue, by the saving in salary could be set aside for maintenance. My action in writing has become imperative and trust some other settler will have the courage to endorse my remarks. Thanking you for your valuable space. —I a.m, etc., A. E. IDAVEY, Jerusalem W.R.