THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DALLY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1196, 29 May 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DALLY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1872.

Though by no means thankless for small mercies, and therefore to a certain extent grateful for the measure recently introduced into the Provincial Council, whereby the formation o( the road between the Arnold and the Ahaura is provided for by part cash and part land payments, we very much fear that the system proposed will not be found to work well, and that trouble of one kind or other will arise from its exercise. There can be no doubt that under such conditions many persons can be found to tender; but, on the other hand, the terms they will require can scarcely be favorable to the Colony at large or the district in itself. It must be very evident if a contractor accepts land instead of coin, that he must expect an equivalent in value in some shape or other. If he is simply placed in the same position as Messrs A. 6. C. D. E., and so on to the end of the alphabet, are, in taking hi 3 purchase out in work, it is not likely he will care about it. If he executes special works on such conditions, he not only looks for special privileges, but also expects to get the best bargain possible. It would be no catch for a contractor to get land at the same rate as others, unless some particular privilege of selection was attached, or, in other words, unless the land by situation or other surrounding circumstances was particularly valuable. It must be very clear that, whether for purposes of public works or what not, no such picking should be permitted, and, if it is not, then the whole inducements to enter on such speculations are swept away. A few months ago ah offer was made to construct the road in question, and take out all the cost in land, but even had it been accepted, the best unoccupied portions of that abutting on the road would now be in the hands of speculators instead of genuine cultivators. This is only what is inevitable under such a system. Unless those undertaking works of the kind under these financial circumstances are satisfied beyond doubt that the now method of payment will amount to the same as, or a better thing in the end than cash, they will naturally abstain from coming forward ; if they do come forward they look not only for equal bnfc far higher profit, ;lT "^ *' JO Colony in the end pays the piper. On these grounds, then'j we shall be by no means sorry if the Ordinance, at present being considered by tiie Provincial Council, be smothered, for if it passes either^ the road will be made at a great public loss, or it will not be made by such means at all. We need not again dwell on its necessity, nor on the Bhort-3ighted folly of the Government that allows such a gap to exist. It has been freely stated that the Nelson Executive purposely declined completing this link, as, if they did, they would thereby open up a good road from Greymouth to Reef ton, and also divert a trade now springing up between the latter place and Westport. Westport is Nelson's property, Greymouth is not, and on that ground it may at least be possible Nelson tardiness can be accounted for. There cannot be the slightest doubt of its being in the greatest degree necessary for the Nelson Government to maintain communication with the sea-board, both between Reefton and Westport, and Reefton and here, and we simply wish that communication may be facilitated by all means possible. But the Nelson Government evidently do not see matters in the same light. Last year, when they passed a bogus vote of i>7ooo, they knew that they never intended to expend that amount in making the road. Tt was an illustration of the scriptural practice of being asked for bread, and giving a stone, This year we have again asked for bread, and are being offered what will very likely prove as hard of digestion as the stone of this time twelvemonth. Either injustice must be done by allowing contractors to select special sites, to be accepted in payment, or they will decline to tender at all. On these grounds then, whilst being, as originally stated, by no means thankless ;for small mercies, we very much fear that if we wait for the formation of the road till it is undertaken on such terms, we shall either have to submit to plunder of the public estate, or go without the work altogether. No one can blame contractors for insisting on extravagant concessions Hinder the circumstances, and as the class, as a whole, is one whose members very well know how to itake care of their own interests we have no doubt they will look after themselves in any agreement of the kind that they may enter into. Instead of ' this foolish policy, if the Government were

to' sell as much land direct as would construct the road, contingent on a guarantee that the road would traverse the blocks sold, there would be plenty of purchasers, and tho cash would bo readily forthcoming. Not only would the land under this course fetch its fair market value, but the road would be made at a great deal loss cost, for there are many who would execute work for cash who would not look at land payment, to whom land indeed would bo an earthy white elephant that they vould not know how, or care to disposo of. Altogether then whether the proposed measure passes or not wo trust that the Provincial Government will reconsider the matter, sell the laud themselves, and pay for the road in coin of the realm thus acquired. There need be no difficulty in the matter if there is only the will to do so, and if this be the case the public of the valley will be more inclined to believe the professions of good will with which the Provincial authorities have favored them of late, and the penitence for past transgressions which they have so very lately and so profusely displayed. We need hardly add we too greatly fear no good will come out of the Nelson Nazareth ; we only hope we are mistaken. The Arnold and Ahaura road will be a good criterion and crucial test of their sincerity.