AN EXPLANATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 69, 16 March 1877, Page 3

AN EXPLANATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AKAROA MAIL. Sir, —In your report of the doings of the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board last issue, I noticed a slight error of omission which makes it appear as though I deliberately attacked the County Council with (malice prepense), giving an opinion I had no right to give. Now I have not the slightest wish to find fault with your reports, they are generally very fair, and express the speakers' intentions in a condensed form as well as he could wish ; yet I think the report in question has been condensed a little too close, for I distinctly remember in reply to the Chairman's question-—well, gentlemen,have you anything else to bring forward reptying yes, and that the main road near Haines'required putting in order before winter. A pause ensued, and a desultory conversation followed, from which I gathered that two members would like to wait, and if the Council adopted the Act they would take over the main road and the work as well. Now, sir, I have not the slightest wish to withdraw from the statement I made at the Eoad Board, as it was done by way of replication, and also for the following reasons, that the road in question is at present under the control of the Eoad Board, who are responsible for its maintenance, and having funds in hand, why not put the same in order. Also, if the County Council should adopt the Act it will be by such a slight majority; and this, coupled with a knowledge of the inequality of representation of the different ridings, and the Chairman's

distinct statement that £300 would suffice for the expenses of the first year. Taking these things into consideration, is it not reasonable to suppose that the County Council, composed as it is of such discordant elements, will not do much in the way of road making for along time to come. I also wish to state that the Chairman's remarks, after leading the conversation in this direction, were out of place, and consequently needed no reply.—l am, yours, &c, J. DUXRURY, Robinson's Bay, March 15, 1877.