BRASIDAS TO "CLEON" RE BALGUERIE ROAD EXTENSION, &c.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 376, 27 February 1880, Page 2

BRASIDAS TO "CLEON" RE BALGUERIE ROAD EXTENSION, &c.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail.

Sir,—ln reply to " Cleon," permit me to make a few remarks. The General has not only lost his temper, but both his memory and reason as well. He is, without doubt, the " man with a grievance ;" the everlasting grievance, and like the serpent who has lost itn venom, is continually hiss, hiss, hissing, by way of consolation ; or, like the notorious Borderer, of days gone by, of whom we have read, " scarce friend to himself and foeman he to all who with him cannot agree." It may be galling to a selfish individual to find that a property which he has not long since parted with had realized double its former value, and more credit to the gentleman who improved and did more in three years than its former owner in seventeen ; and allow me to tell you, " Cleon," that this is no fault of the Road Board, but entirely lays to the credit and smartness of Mr Bell, and, most wonderful, as he is not an American either.

The German Bay property is, unfortunately, badly situated, but probably the purchaser knew this when he bought it. The Road Board neither sold him the land nor yet had any hand in laying off the roads; the blundering was done in the early days of provincial administration ; and was not Mr Armstrong one of the legislators of former days ? and why does he not take a hand now, and assist those who devote their time, energy and money for the public welfare, instead of, like many others, grumbling and growling and making personal attacks upon those who strive to do their best without fear or favor of any one ? But the mtOT question at issue is the extension of the Balguerie road, and on perusing the report quoted by " Cleon," I find it i 8 recommended to make a diversion in one part, and in another place it states the grade to be about 1 in 4. It also states that 'a grade of about 1 in 8 can be got by a slight encroachment on certain properties.

It is self-evident that to spend money on a grade of 1 in 4 would be practically useless unless for the purpose of a shoot, and if a diversion is to bamade at all, why not put the " PubHc Works Act " in force, take the land, and make the road on the best grade to be found. The Aylmer's Valley road as originally laid off, had to be diverted, or the land in that valley would have been locked up to this day; but then the parties to the transaction were reasonable and agreeable ; they did not in those days look upon a public body as a milch cow, which everyone should tug at, agitate ! agitate ! and when the Board has been committed to the work, step in with an overwhelming dose of compensation. In conclusion, let me state that my own opinion is that the Balguerie road should be extended at a fair grade, which, according to the Engineer's opinion, can be got, and that it should not stop at Mr Armstrong's property, but should be extended so as to give an outlet to the Flea Bay settlers on tho other side of the ranges.—Yours, &c,

BRASIDAS.