BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, APRIL 19. 1873.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 66, 19 April 1873, Page 2

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, APRIL 19. 1873.

The establishment of Road Boards throughout the colony of Hew Zetland has been undoubtedly successful. The experiment has now for some time past been practically tested,, and this form of local Government may be pronounced a most useful one. In this, ous district, we have two Highway Boards —one for the town and one for the country—and within the last two or three years the state of the roads in general shows there is some public body who exercise a ruling power. Of course, we are aware that the mere rates would not provide sufficient funds for carrying out the extensive works performed in Tauranga within the last twelve months, and the Provincial Government gave great assistance in undertaking the expense of the Beach road—a work which in itself has done more to improve the appearance of the town and increase the value of business property than we apprehend any other measures could have done. Of course, the necessity of having a Hoad Board opens a door for village politicians —men who, not having a chance of shining in better places, have been for a certain time looked upon as oracles in their own neighbourhood and take the earliest opportunity of getting themselves placed in a position of trust and power, but this very ambition is a guarantee to the public at large that any measures intrusted to their hands will be properly carried out; pride and self-esteem will often do more than hard work and plodding. Tauranga has been very fortunate in both Boards. We believe the ratepayers have missed Chary bdis without falling into Scylla, and although there are village Hampdens here as well as in other places, we honestly believe politics has never had anything to do with the Road Boards. The Town Board is composed of gentlemen who certainly have a stake, and a considerable one, in the place, and though some of the members do not take that active part they promised to do -when accepting the position, the local expenditure is to the purpose

and public good. As to the country Board, they have a great deal to do, and little to do it with. Fortunately for them they have a professional man in their directory, which saves them not only expense, but a vast amount of trouble, jf what we hear of the works actually in hand be true, the country settlers have no fault to find with their representatives. Without, however, finding fault with anyone, we must, new we are upon the subject, make a few remarks as to the mode of election of those who have ambition enough and time to spare to accept the office of Highway Trustee. the last election many and grievous we re the complaints made against the wholesale use of proxies. One gentleman in particular very coolly sat down and filled in his proxies before the whole meeting, and, if report does not lie, returned himself. Of this we have nothing to say, but we do trust that next election the law will be strictly carried out relative to proxies, and that if any gentlemen has a pocketful he will have the common decency to make them out in gome more private manner than was done last time. In a district like ours. Highway Trustees have a great deal of power entrusted to them, and when it is taken into consideration that possibly these Boards will shortly take the position pow occupied by Provincial Governments, great judgment is required in electing members, and the public should be on the qui vive to see that when elected the best use is made of the funds placed at their disposal. The Town Board, when they retire, will leave some substantial proof of their time of service. The Country Board also, we .believe, will have something to point to, and w.e trust that when the time comes that another set of Trustees are to be elected the settlers will be as fortunate iu the future as in the past.

- The “ New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary ” published on the 9th instant contains the announcement that “ the officer administering the Government” has accepted the resignation of the Honorable William Fox, as Premier and Colonial Secretary; and the same “Gazette” publishes the appointment of the Honorable Julias Vogel, C.M.G., as Premier, Colonial Treasurer, Post-master-General, and Telegraph Commissioner. No other change in the Cabinet has taken place. Mr Fox has acted, we believe,»conscientiously for the benefit of the colony, and the public will not soon forget his singular unselfishness. The high office Mr Vogel now bolds he has deservedly and fairly won, and the colony will approve of the course he has pursued in accepting in name what he had before in reality—the full responsibility of the Premiership.