Patutahi Road Board.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 190, 19 August 1901, Page 3

Patutahi Road Board.

(To the Editor of the Times ) Sir, —For general information I would like to place on record the way the.members of the Patutahi Road Board were treated on Saturday. The simple facts of the trouble are :—Wo had a road board in Patutahi controlled for seventeen years by a party. A man with a large estate could hold live votes, his wife another live, and more could be distributed among employees. When the Liberal franchise adopted the small farmers got representation on the Board, and at once sot to work to re-organise matters, having been elected by a large majority. One of the planks of their platform was to strike a rate, but the Jgontlomcu who had controlled the Board objected to that and sought separation. To givo every ratepayer a fair show the Board called a public meeting to ascertain whether or not the rate was wanted. The action of the new Board was endorsed by a large majority, and they were instructed to go on with the collection of the rate. A further resolution was passed to interview the separationists to try and come to terms to prevent separation. Mr H. N. Watson spoke very strongly at the public meeting, saying that the rates had been spent on what were really private works. He is a true Englishman'. On Saturday the members of tho Board came at the appointed time to the appointed place, but wore treated with contempt. none of the others attending. It is a great pitv that they should act in this manner. Is it right for those people who have had so much benefit in past years, now that they have got roads, to avoid rates that would help those who have contributed to the other roads ? Separation moans that they will be able to use the leading thoroughfares without paying anything through tho Hoad Board—they would gain all the advantages of a progressive works policy without having to pav a farthing therefor.—l am, etc., Owes Gallaouek.