The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11. OUR RATING BODIES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 547, 11 October 1881, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11. OUR RATING BODIES.

Much is being said just now regarding the fact that as both the County OouncU and Road Boards have rating powers, one of the two should be done away with, In our opinion the suppression of cither body, even if possible, would be a very great mistake; each has its own distinct functions to perform and each can be of great benefit to the County.

It appears to us that the Road Boards must be retained. In a county like the Peninsula, where hill roads render the difficulty of communication so great, it is apparent that it is absolutely necessary to have local bodies, ready to act when an emergency arises. Being in the immediate neighborhood the members can speedily meet and act, and its being their own individual interest to see communication made easy, by bridges substantial and in proper repair, and roads of easy gradient and best formation, one may depend on their action, generally speaking, being for the benefit of the neighborhood. Of course they will always have to exercise their rating power, but all who contribute will be sure that their money is spent in the district, and that the members of the Board, being usually the largest landed proprietors in the neighborhood, will not put on a heavier rate than they can possibly avoid, and will see it expended as economically as possible.

But here the functions of the Road Boards end. They each represent a portion of the County only, and their interests are often opposed, so that out of theii own locality they are of no utility whatever, and suppose they were the only local governing bodies, the Peninsula would fall far behind in the race of progress. Now that the Counties Act is in force each County must have some central governing body, which should be composed of the best men from the various Road Board districts, and be to the County what the Provincial Council was to Canterbury.

It is absolutely necessary that some &ucli body exist, or the wants and wishes of the County could never be properly made known to the General Government. No Road Board, however ably conducted, could be trusted to represent the interests of the whole of Akaroa, tor their very ability in conducting their own business and seeing vividly their own wants, weuld prevent them from giving an impartial opinion, however anxious they might be to do so.

If, then, it is granted that it is necessary that some central Board should exist, why talk about endeavoring to do away with the County Council ? No other body could be so economically worked for the public benefit. The offices are erected, the official expenses small, and the people of the county have the opportunity of electing who they I like to represent them, next month. It does not at all follow that because the County Council have the power to levy a rate, that they should do so, and for our own part, we do not see the necessity. We believe that the ordinary revenue of the Council frem fees, etc., is (we speak under correction) some £700 or £800 per annum, and we think that until better times that sum might suffice to enable that body to perform its functions efficiently. There is a great difference of opinion as to what those functions should be, but there is no doubt in our mind that the principal ones should be as follows :—First. The unceasing and untiring advocacy with the Government of great public works affecting the whole county, such as the drainage of Lake Ellesmere and the Little River Railway. Second. Enquiry and discussion on all matters affecting the general good of the county. Third. The settlement of any differences between the Road Boards, and a general supervision of all the more important works undertaken by them. Fourth. Holding communication with other County Councils iv the Canterbury Provincial District, and combining with them in taking action for the general good of the said district. Fifth. Never ceasing to point out the resources and great natural advantages of the county, and advocating with untiring energy her just claims upon the public purse.

Now we ask, are not all the functions we have enumerated such as should be intelligently exercised in this County ? And we ask again, could any Road Board exercise them ? We should imagine that few intelligent men would answer except in the negative, and if so the absolute necessity of the existence of the County Council is established. As we said before, we do not think that because

t!io County Counc 1 is in existence there is any necessity for its levying rate?, and in fact it appears to us that hy refusing to lalo steps to have a valuation roll prepared iv its k-t m.'otinu, it lms almost announced tluit it poos no urgent necessity for so duhg. While its duties are oi' a most important ch;t ratter, its expenditure need not necessarily be very large. Suppose its revenue, for the sake of argument, to be £800 pelannum, we think that by the judicious spending of this sum great ends might be gained. There are many thoroughly competent engineers who for JE4OO a year, would be willing to superintend and see properly carried out, all the more important works undertaken by the Road Boards, and such a general supervision would be an immense benefit to those bodies, who have no superfluous cash to expend in procuring the services of ex" perts. Allowing another £200 fo clerical assistance, £200 still remains for ordinary expenses, and this with economy should, we think, sufficeThere is a certain difficulty in the maintenance of main roads. Some of the Road Boards are complaining that they have to expend a very large portion of their rates in keeping in good condition highways, that are used by the people residing in other Road Board districts, who have not to contribute so large a share for the public benefit, but we do not see how the abolition of the County Council can lead to a satisfactory solution of this difficulty, and wo do not think the ratepayers would vote tor the abolition of the Road Boards, nor is it at all desirable that they should, for reasons before stated.

We think the public are much, indebted to Mr Shadbolt for his action in calling together the Chairmen and members of the Peninsula Road Boards to-morrow, to discuss the question of the abolition of the County Council, as it will give a chance to have these important matters thoroughly ventilated. We hope the meeting will bo numerously attended and that there will be a free expression of opinion, so that the ratepayers may be enabled to form an intelligent opinion. The question is one of such vital importance, particularly in view of the approaching County Council elections, that it cannot be too much considered. There is one thing that we specially desire to point out to those who say they desire the abolition of the County Council, and that is—that in the event of such a course being pursue' 1 their present revenue from licences, etc., would revert to the general Government and so be lost to the County.