BOROUGH EXPENDITURE.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18850, 21 January 1933, Page 7

BOROUGH EXPENDITURE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —During the last few days we have seen further references to another bridge over the Waikato, together with objections by county ratepayers concerned to extra costs and a demand for the derating of their lands; this, with the Government hesitation in making a grant for the purpose, should give an opportunity for Hamilton borough to reconsider the real position as to whether the time is opportune to undertake any expense therewith.

The ratepayers have immediately before them the annual rates, the income tax due, falling rents, and a possible increase in the unemployment tax; and I think these facts point to the need for rigid economy in municipal affairs, as lias to be shown in domestic affairs. The Hamilton ratepayers have in mind several ventures which, however useful they may be, oould well have waited until a more convenient season. One of these — tlie Anglesea Street cut —however desirable, was far too expensive, viewed from the financial position; while the new water tower is a luxury we might well have postponed. Before the bridge proposition goes any further I should like to know—and I think the ratepayers have a right to the information —what the Public Work's engineers who were asked to report thereon, had to say on the existing bridge. The report would be interesting, especially as the precaution of having inspectors at each end of the bridge to check the traffic passing over it, was dropped, I understand, throughout the heavy Christmas and New Year traffic, and is not deemed necessary in early morning and on Sundays.

It is recognised that when a borough omploys two engineers they must , expect them to put forward schemes which will keep them employed, but arc they necessary when all plans can be, and arc, submitted to Government scrutiny before being adopted? While ono deplores tho need for shortening staffs and reductions in salaries, wc have to meet plain facts as they are, and certainly there Is need 10 cut out all but absolutely necessary expenditure until the economical position adjusts itself. The question of the bridge and other proposals requiring heavy expenditure Is, I think, worthy of careful re-examination. The provision of work for the unemployed should bo a Government matter, not one to promote heavy municipal expenditure.—l am, etc., RATEPAYER. Hamilton, January 10, 1033.