Correspondence

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 31, 10 September 1891, Page 2

Correspondence

MANCHESTER ROAD BOARD. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, — Kindly, permit me to ask the Chairman and members of the Manchester Road Board, to explain their action in shelving the Penelope road at their last meeting. As the result of a petition presented to them some time ago, a resolution now stands on the books of the Board, "That £100 be spent in forming and culverting the Penelope road from the Spur road to the end of section 10, a distance of sixty-three chains, logs to be rolled ofl fourteen feet wide about another thirtyfive chains." On the strength of this resolution Mr H. Thomas built on his land (which fronts this road) a two-roomed cottage out of split timber, and came from Palmerston with his wife to live in it ; in the meantime making arrangements with a carpenter to have a house of sawn timber as soon as the road was made. Now, sir, instead of taking the levels, &c., of the piece of road to be done, the Sur- ! veyor and Engineer came up, found the pegs, took the levels, &c, and eventually tenders were called for the whole length of the road, some two and a half miles. Not only was the money expended in the extra surveying and engineering not required, but the settlers did not ask for the road to be made right through, although it is needed badly enough. The piece of sixty-three chains they did ask for is the handiest, the least expensive to make, and it is absolutely necessary that it should be made, as the owners of the land can neither get timber nor stock on to their properties and it is only by going through a neighbor's (Mr VoJkerts) section that Mr Thomas can get in at all. In conclusion I trust the Members of the Board will again look into this matter and give it their consideration, as they must see a great injustice has been done to the Penelope road settlers. — I am, &c, Owen Pleasants.