NEW NORTH ROAD TOLL.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 634, 23 January 1872, Page 2

NEW NORTH ROAD TOLL.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sir, —Knowing you to be a fearless exponent of all wrongs, whether of a public or private nature. I feel well pleased at your insertion of " Cave Canem's " letter, and equally so with your Jlarangahape road correspondent, and also feel confident that you will give insertion to my reply to these letters and your remarks.

1. In answer to a " well known and respected citizen," who says, "I am in the habit of driving into the country with my family, &c," and being well known have hitherto

been allowed to pass free, I was on this occasion challenged for the first time; but upon this occasion he was " riding," which may possibly have dispelled the charm. He came first in contact with my boy, who told me this man would not pay <; toll." I wa3 then brought into contact with him. He then said, "I paid the other gate." My answer was, I don't know you at all. He then turned away, and, in the parliamentary phrase, "I was left speaking; " but I then, in terms of the 7th clause of the Turnpike Act, said you must either pay or give a ticket. He paid, and hence the barking, and yet I do not know him. 2.—To the Karangahape Road correspondent. About twelve months ago a butcher's boy hurriedly passed the bar, calling out, " I paid the other place," and as you, Mr. Editor, and others must know, they are swift riders and generally very smart. I resolved to be as smart as possible next time, if he wi3 as indifferent. He did coma, without money or ticket. A demand was made for the money. He said he paid the other bar by the week, and, admitting he had not been through that day, he maintained that one gate cleared the other. In virtue of the Bth clause of the above Acts, I seized his horse. The boy remonstrated, but latterly dismounted and went home. He afterwards returned, bringing a threatening letter, holding me liable in damages for unlawful seizure and loss of time, and also presented a sixpenny ticket. This I refused, believing he would prosecute the case, which I was prepared to defend upon its own merits. He did not put his threat into execution, but he now barks also. 3. You remark if Mr. G-albraith is accustomed to cause irritation to every one that happens to cross his pa^b, we think the Provincial Executive should see to it at the next letting of tolls, &c, so do I, but why wait till then ? Upon what ground should I or any man be allowed to cause unlawful pressure to any person or perBons for even eleven minutes far JeS3 eleven months.

Sir, I will] upon demand furnish you with the name of every person in the district who uses the road, so as to facilitate enquiry either public or private for aught I fear ; but perhaps under the present excitement you would confer a benefit upon the whole community by publishing the "Turnpike Act," they would then know their obligations, as well as their privileges, &c.

I am, Sir,

Yours respectfully William G-albbaith. New North Road Toll.