Original Correspondence

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 504, 13 May 1881, Page 2

Original Correspondence

We are at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the views advocated by our correspondents. APPOINTMENT OF RANGER To the Editor. Si a, —In your issue of the 10th inst. appears a letter signed " Black Pine," drawing attention to the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board having called a public meeting to consider the question of continuing the Ranger's services. Tho virulent style of the letter is so pronounced that it is not necessary to look far for the author, more especially as that individual has spent a large portion of his time lately in his usual questionable manner trying to spread discord in tbe district by untruthful statem nts. It is scarcely necessary for mo to follow the letter through, but I will, by drawing attention to a few facts, endeavor to place the matter at issue fairly before tho ratepayers, which, I trust, will impress upon them the necessity of their attendance on Saturday next, 14th inst., to protect their interests against the unscrupulous few. The Board, taking into consideration their largely reduced income by the stoppage of the Government subsidies, saw it was necessary not only to curtail expenditure but to protect as far as possible the money already spent on road formation. The money so spent amounts in round numbers to forty thousand pounds (£40,000) equal to £150 (one hundred and fifty pounds) for each ratepayer. When we consider that this has been received mainly through subsidies and the 20 per cent returned from the land fund, and that in the future we shall have entirely to depend upon the rates, the action of the Board in appointing a ranger will scarcely be condemned, as tbe future income of the Board will be dependent upon rates alone, and as this does not amount at present to more than £600, it will lequire the greatest economy to make ends meet. Contracts were entered into last year for keeping the main roads in repair at a cost of £400. This, with the £100 paid for clerical work, leaves but a small pittance towards keeping in repair the numerous roads which had to be neglected last year for want of funds. " Black Pine " wishes to gull the ratepayers into the belief that

«■•(;■:!.vii::r ;:kr!i' do no damage to the roads. •i.-,..::•!, w•.-:!■.: '.lie twe, bow is it that tbe ;!!:.; n-avj ;,,ive repeatedly asked the ]y<■:■■.'. . • ;v,i'i.ieet them against -what they '•"!r--: •! :< n liiju -lice. There can be ho .» a.; . .v the loss sustained by them !:mi vliis .-ause will be considered when I'ivsh t-:.'ii"rsare called, and the ratepayers made to pay the extra cost. With reference to the memorandum of. instructions to the ranger, it, was drawn out with a view of including those roads where the bulk of. the money has been spent, and as these are fenced on both sides, it will be apparent that no unnecessary hardship has been done. On the other hand, supposing the whole of the roads in the district had been included in the list, as suggested by *'Black Pine," it Would have entailed a very great amount of hardship without any compensating benefit at all. And yet " Black Pine," to further h s own selfish ends, tries to raise issue on this question by forcing upon the Board the alternative of either discontinuing the protection of this magnificent public property, or doing what would certainly be a very great hardship, i.e., by impounding off all roads. I cannot conclude without referring to the cowardly way in which B.P. refers to onr officers of the Peace, more especially as they are debarred by the rules of the service from, making any reply. And I wish to bear testimony to the courtepy shown by them in the conscientious diecharge of their duty. With these few remark.- I will leave the matter in tho bands of the ratepayers, and ask them not to allow so srious a public question tc be settled in any way detrimental to the welfare of the community, but to come one and all and record their votes on Saturday.—l am, etc., TOTARA.