THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 914, 1 July 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1871.

The resolution passed by the Borough Council of Greymouth, at its last sitting, with regard to the proposed main road has afforded our contemporary the West Coast Times an opportunity for preaching a small sermon upon the evils of local jealousy. And had our contemporary confined itself to comments upon this unfortunate but inevitable result of local competition, it would have avoided laying itself upon to correction as to matters of fact. The leading article in yesterday's issue of the West Coast Times professes ignorance as to the intentions of the General Govern tnent with respect to the construction of the main line of road, and quotes some remarks made by the County Chairman at the opening of the Arahura bridge as being calculated to confuse rather than enlighten the public. Had the writer made himself acquainted with the provisions of "The Public Works Act, 1870," he would have been able to reconcile the apparent contradictory statements of the County Chairman. Our •contemporary says: — "If we revert to the remarks made by the- County ChairLmau at the opening of the Hungerford w|ridge, on Saturday* last, we are but little enlightened as to which course tho yfcjinistry intends to pursue. The Chairsays — 'The present Ministry of New Zealand were determined td ! do everything in their power to aid in developing the resources of this County. He had^.ately got orders from the Ministry to begin the making of roads from one end of the County to the other, and not only orders, but funds had been placed at the disposal of the County to begin *the works at once' Heroes on to say — 'Moreover a disHnct pr. mise had been that the con-i rr.cHon of these roads Would be taken in lviii<l Mf unco, and befora-the General AssuijiU'r !!"t.' From the first quoted roni;ir!.s t ,f the County Chairman, it appears that the County Government has already Ween entrusted with the construction of the Public Works/ But the secdnd quotation implies that such is not the case, and contradicts the first." The interpretation is quite easy. The 11th section of the Immigration and Publi c

Works Act, 1870, provides that in previous sections relating to railways "the term railways shall include such road works in the County of Westland as the Governor in Council may from time to time prescribe." The italics are our own, but it will be seen that this section entirely removes all roads in Westland to be made out of the "Middle Island Railway Fund Account " from the necessity of being previously sanctioned by the Assembly. Section 9 of the Act certainly reads " The railways to be constructed under this Act shall be only such railways as shall from time to time be determined by the General Assembly" — but this section is not included with those in which* the word "railways" may be interpreted "roads" so far as Westland is concerned. Therefore the Government have full authority for proceeding with the road works, without reference to the Assembly, up to the extent of Westland 's fair annual share of the Middle Island B.ailway Fund. But for any expenditure beyond that it can only incur it at the risk of obtaining the subsequent approval of the Assembly. As to the actual work of construction the Act provides that the Governor may delegate his powers to any person or agent for carrying out the purposes of the Act. Section 92, part IV., of the Public Works Act is as follows : — "The Governor may, by warrant under his hand, from time to time delegate to any person or persons he may think fit, or to a Board or Boards of Commissioners to be from time to time appointed by him, any of the powers conferred upon him, subject to such restrictions or limitations as to the road, railway, or other work with regard to which such powers may be exercised, or as to the district or part of the Colony within or with regard to which the same may be exercised as he may think fit, and may confer on any such person or persons and on any such Board or Boards the power to delegate to any agent or agents any of the powers delegated by the Governor, subject to such conditions as the person or persons or Board (,r Boards may think fit to impose, and the Governor may from time to time revoke any such delegation or appointments." And the following sections empower the Governor or his delegates to appoint surveyors, engineers, and other necessary officers. In the jcase of Westland, it will be, no doubt, convenient to allow the roads to be made under the supervision of the local authorities, subject to the control of the Colonial Engineer. The County Chairman's remarks, alluded to by our contemporary, will be seen to be perfectly reconcilable with the facts. | It is only fair, however, to say that undoubtedly the whole spirit of the Act intends that all works constructed under it should be approved by the General Assembly. Certainly for all such expenditure as is outside the Middle Island Railway Fund the House must be consulted, and it is well to remember that for every shilling expenditure beyond Westland's share of this fund the County revenues will be chargeable for interest and sinking fund. The Government, in authorising the immediate construction of the extensive road works in Westland is inviting attack by those who would confine it to the letter of the law ; but we suppose the Ministry have measured the responsibility and are prepared to accept it.