The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17,1892. The Pohangina Road Board

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 64, 17 November 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1892. The Pohangina Road Board

Under the descriptive heading of " Nepotism " one esteemed contemporary the Manawatu Standard writes:— We certainly cannot congratulate the Fohangma .Road Board on the economical manner in which its affairs are conducted, and if the system at present in vogue is to extend to all its affairs, the ratepayers in the new district will have a high old time. It commenced its career by arranging to pay three times for its advertising as the parent body, while the appointment of Engineer reveals what looks remarkably like nepotism. After quoting the several tenders for the post of Engineer to the Board and the amount to be paid to the successful applicant, the Standard goes on to say, We do not doubt Mr Hay ns' capabilities, but we do say that the others are fully competent to perform the duties, and a saving of half the charges is a great consideration to a struggling local body. It is suggested that the fact of the successful applicant being a near relative of a member of the Board accounts for the selection, and if that rule is to be followed out in letting all contracts there is a perpetual picnic in store for the fortunate folk who are in a similar position." This is " letting the cat out of the bag " with a vengeance. We certainly would urge upon the ratepayers in this unlucky Boad District to take some steps to control the actions of the members of the Board, or they will be involved in such a mess that it will take years to put things straight. It is a thousand pities the Board has made such a bad start, but there is yet time to prevent any serious harm being done. It would meet the exigencies of the case if the whole of the present wardens were called upon to resign, in order that their places might be filled by others who were more alive to the responsi* bilities of the position, and who as representatives of their fellow ratepayers, would be above suspicion of such an act as that ascribed to the members who now sit on the Board, by the Standard.