THE COUNTIES ACT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 174, 19 March 1878, Page 2

THE COUNTIES ACT.

To the Editor of ihe Akaroa Mail

Sir, —Having addressed' you so many times, pointing out the forcible' reasons why the County of Akaroa should adopt the Act in its. entirety, you may imagine with what feelings of pleasure I read the report of the late meeting of the County members, and their almost unanimous decision to bring all the Act into operation, I admire conscientious opposition,, although I cannot agree with Mr Barker, or share his fears of the evil likely to result from unequal distribution of the general fundsv Mr Montgomery had valid reasons for advising his constituents to, at any rate, give the Counties Act a trial, and those reasons would be intensified if he lived in some parts of the district he'represents. Look at the existing state of many of our main roads I Well might Mr Baker taunt the Kaupo- member upon the state of his own "-little bay." - I doubt if it ie generally known. that the main roads on each side of Little Akaloa, which, inclusive of! Government surveys, must have cost nearly £800, are repudiated by the Okain's Board (one closed and the other quite unfit for use), on the ground that they have not been 1 handed over by theGovernment. Yet the tenders for their construction and the sapervision of the work was undertaken by the Board. I have had numerous communications with the Government, who simply say they have nothing to do with it, referring me fo the Road Board or County Council. The road from Little Akaloa to boundary of Pigeon Bay Koad District was formed for 60 ■ chains at £5 10s a chain and then left, on.; the ground that the special grant was exhausted, whereas about £50 extra spent by the Board would have finished the road, and although we read of their having ptit out surplus funds to interest, they persistently refuse to finish the road. I knowit is a "stock" excuse that the compensations are not yet settled. May I ask—are they going to settle them? If so, why delay ? It" not, what has it to do with the Board "as conservators of all the main roads in their district ?" lam surprised they doivt try some other excuse; surely this compensation affair isquite j threadbare. Is there really one of the members who believes compensation will ever be paid? If so, all I can say is, 1 would advise him to ask his lawyer, "and if he has no faith in the " craft," let him try. theGeneral Government direct. I apprehend he will soon. have his mind set at rest~ But what is more to be deplored is, that while they are making excuses the roadsupon which such large sums have been spent are entirely neglected, and will, in consequence, require considerable outlay to> render them useful, whereas " a stitch in time " would have avoided that. I expect, most of the members of Okain's Board are influenced by the advice of their Chairman, and I doubt not Mr Barker .has strong reasons to urge for pursuing such a course, but they must be powerful indeed if he can quietly see the two principal means of communication to and from his own bay in such a pitiable state, and yet argue that no Co'irity Council is required. Let us* hope that now the Boad Boards know from whom to work, and with whom to work, you will not be deluged with many complaints of neglect, and. that the two, each in their own sphere, will work harmoniously together, and benefit the district at large, of which personally I have but little doubt.—Yours, &c, M. R. A.