LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 429, 31 August 1880, Page 2

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

To the Editor.

Sir,—ln your issue of tho 20th instant there was a letter on the relative merits of our two local governing bodies, and also an invitation from the Editor to discuss this important subject, the importance of which to the different road districts in this county is scarcely understood.

The framers of the Counties Act evidently intended that the County Councils should eventually absorb the Road Boards, and the discontinuance of the subsidies will bo the means of hastening that end,as the ratepayers will scarcely tolerate, however strong their sympathies are in favor of the last named body, two separate taxing corporations for local purposes. The Road Boards in the past have, with one or two exceptions, done fairly well, considering the difficult nature of the country they have to deal with ; but it must be borne in mind that they have had large sums of money independent of the local rates at their disposal, which are not likely to accrue to the district again. The ratepayers will be called upon to exercise a greater amount of forbearance with the institution selected to expend their funds than heretofore shown. The Road Boards while handling the large sums referred to above perhaps did so as economically as any other distributing body would have done; but the circumstances are now greatly altered, and the amount necessary to efficiently carry out the work will be out of proportion to the result obtained, especially in tbe smaller districts. The writer in last week's Mail regrets tho possibility of Road Boards being done away with ; but I think ratepayers should be careful, and not allow this to be done without due consideration, as when the step is once taken there will bo no recalling it, and we should be first prepared with a better substitute. Referring to the relative merits of tbe County Council and Road Boards, the past is certainly in favor of the latter body,and without a modificatirn of the Counties Act I scarcely think the district would gain by the change ; but this Act could be altered by doing away with a great many of the objectionable features, and made more acceptable to our requirements—in the first place by augmenting the number of members, with a redistribution to tbe woveral wards or districts upon a fair baa's of population and rateable value. Secondly, by providing that the tenure of office be for two years, and that half the number retire annually, so. as to leave a fair number in office acquainted with the works of the Council. Thirdly, that the rates, after deducting a reasonable amount for working expenses be localised—that is, spent in the ward or subdivision in which they were raised: firstly, in keeping the main roads in repair, the balance to be spent where it is most needed. This would greatly check the tendency to scramble which would likely result if the Council had the distribution of the rates. As a further matter of detail, in fairness to all concerned, tho ratepayers of any Road Board district wishing to merge into the Council should bo called upon to make up any deficiency in their accounts by a special rate levied in such Road district. Taking into consideration the great number of expensive works to be done on tbe Peninsula before the County is supplied with roads up to its present requirements, it will tax the self-denial of the residents in no small degree before this is effected, and the sooner the difficulty is faced the better. With the alterations already pointed out, tbe County Council would be the cheapest and most efficient public body, and a com. pelent staff of officers would cost considerably less than under tbe present system, while the office expenses should be far smaller than those of the combined Road Boards. Besides, the unequal assessments throughout the County now obtaining would be altered, and a greater total revenue secured. As the mouthpiece of tbe people, the Council should have great weight in bringing before the Government any matter of importance affecting the County. Tho success or otherwise of any public body depends entirely upon the ratepayers themselves — firstly on those who have energy and ability offering their services as representatives ; secondly, on tho electors taking more pains to see the best men returned, and taking a greater interest in public affairs generally. I will not at present follow the subject further, but hope the ratepayers will give the matter their best attention, as they may be shortly called upon to decide whether thoy will consent to be rated by two public bodies with concurrent powers.—l arm etc., BRAMBLE, i