MORE TOLLS.

Evening Star, Issue 2833, 18 March 1872, Page 2

MORE TOLLS.

To the Editor. Sir, —The Provincial Government contemplate an act which, if given effect to, will be oppressive, unjust, arbitrary, unproductive, and of questionable legality : I refer to the proposed erection of a check toll-bar on the St. Kilda Road at Kensington. If carried into effect, this action will be oppressive to the inhabitants of Eorbury, St. Kilda, and other districts, as they have no other road to reach their homes without a long detour, and even by this road they have to wade aukle-dccp in mud on the slightest rain. A line privilege to pay for—an Egj ptian concession. It will be unjust to the citizens, as it will infringe their right to ride on the road of their choice, and not be compelled to go through the Government toll-bars. Had the road been even formed at the subsidised cost of the Government, a plea could be sustained ; but as it is worse than Nature left it, no place to stand on is left. It is arbitrary and despotic to the local Road Board, as they have never been consulted in the matter; and as the champion of local self-government, Mr Reid ought surely to have consulted the district authe - rities. Its unrofitableness will be found in the fact that the whole proceeds will not cover the cost of the erection and the pay of the man’s wife who is to keep it ; and a more serious item arises from the certainty that, by asserting such a right, the Government lays itself open to any action that arises from accident, which is more than likely, as one of the bridges is in a “ questionable condition. ” The legality of the exaction is worthy of consideration, and though not legally versed, I am prepared to dispute the right of the Government to impose it, and in doing so I will look to the citizens for their support. The check bar erected by Mr Geo. Duncan at Mornington, and the check put up by Mr Cornwell on the south road opposite the Benevolent Institute, should be a warning to the Executive as to how they exercise their supposed powers. Bummed up iu few words, the matter i$ this- to prevent several parties at Anderson’s Bay, of the “Mushroom aristocracy type,” from evading the toll, the whole community of Dunedin, as well as the residents of the affected district, are to be laid under embargo to pay what they have no right to pay, that is a toll on unformed roads, and this just on the week of the races. “To what base uses may we not be turned.” Fop a week’s pleasure we must; be subjected to the despotism of a government in exacting a tax for which no equivalent has been given, to which they have a questionable right, and which no argument, eave that of empty coffers can justify, is more than can be quietly submitted to. Has it come to a poll tax to raise a revenue, instead of doing so by selling the waste lands ? then Mr Bathgate and Mr Cutten, as representatives of the City, must prepare to meet the citizens who they so greviously wrong, by imposing such a tax on their legitimate enjoyments. Anyone wanting to go to the park without paying toll, can go up Maclaggan, High, Stafford, or Walker streets, and join the cemetery road, and thus proceed on their journey without sighting a toll gate. Yours truly, Jas. M'lijcoe. March 18, 187 2,

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. (from greville’s telegram company, keuter’s agents.) Auckland, March 14, Via Kati Kati. The majority of the followers of Te Hira are favorable to the opening of the district for gsld-mining. Johnson, accused of arson, was discharged. A yacht club has been formed. _ Jones, a printer, formerly of Christchurch, projects a newspaper at Waikato. The Mayor of Auckland requests the Provincial Government to take steps to establish a quarantine ground. The Harbour Board have decided to enfore the quarantine regulations strictly against vessels from Britain. Auckland, March 16. The Sydenham store, at Newton, has been burnt. It was insured for LIOO in the London and Liverpool Company, and the stock for L2OO in the 1 nion. A cottage at Onehunga was burnt. The building was insured in the Victoria Company for LIBO. A disagreement has taken place between the contractors and the men on the Kaipara Railway. The men have stopped work at the Helensville end. New men are to be engaged. Arrived : Adventurer, whaler. She reports that the mate was killed by islanders. Caledonian, Lls 15s ; Thames, LI 2s (?); Moanatira, L 3 10s; Cures, 7s 6d; Tokatea, L2 ss; Otago, 15s.