ROAD CONSERVATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 434, 17 September 1880, Page 2

ROAD CONSERVATION.

To the Editor

Sir,—ln The Mail's issue of the 14th inst. appeared an inflammatory letter signed <f Ratepayer," which in itself is beneath notice, except to deplore the bad taste displayed in trying to raise'a class distinction where none does, or should exist. The subject-brought'under consideration, the conservation of our formed roads, is a most important one,affecting as it does materially every ratepayer, and to realise the importance of the question it is only necessary to consider the large amount of money spent—some £30,000 — on the furination -of roods in this district. Even this large amount has been quite 'nsufficient to make more than half the necessary roads and before the balance are formed ratepayers will be pnl to much inconvenience and expense. In tho £uture we shall not t>e .iblu to look forward to receiving large Government subsidies but the burden of making and keeping in repair our different roads will depend upon the local rates whL'h amount this year to £600 ; this is only sufficient to keep in repair the roads recently formed, hence the necessity of taking care that these are not wantonly destroyed by cattle or horses straying.

With reference to tlie Board's action in appointing n ranger, I think the majority will exonerate them from any charge 06 wishing to act arbitrarily, ami give them credit for trying , to, forward the best interest of all concerned ; the officer appointed may have cairied out hie duties in a harsh or extreme m.umer , should this be the case, the pimple remedy would be to request the Bo.ml to stop him from doing so in the future, or otherwise coneel the appointment. Willi those "few remarks, I will luave tho subject in the hands of Ratepayers, for them In determine whether they will allow a Tew to destroy the moans of communication which ha.-; cost so much timeaijd expense. —I nm, eto. J CAUTION.