SOOTH BEACH.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1213, 19 June 1872, Page 2

SOOTH BEACH.

(from our own correspondent.) „■■•■■■■.' • . JuneJ7. There has been considerable excitement amongst the residents on the beach, o.wing to a letter received by the Road Board from the County Chairman in reference to the contemplated road from Paroa to the town boundary. The contents of the letter were publicly known, though a copy of it cannot be obtained before the meeting of the Board on Thursday next. It seems that the County Chairman disapproves of the road being made on account of the protection to the. trams, which was the cause of the General Government not having made a road before, and that he (the County Chairman) should withhold his consent. This seems to be the purport of the letter according to public report, and quite enough to disturb the equanimity of the residents of the South Beach. Now comesthe question— can this functionary forbid the making of the road in question. Here is a local corporative tody, empowered to spend a certain sum of money on new" works, and who should know better the requirements of the district. They, in their wisdom, consider that the first step would be to open communication with Greymouth, apprise the Municipal Council of that Borough of their willingness to make their portion of the road as far as the town boundary, and receive a satisfactory answer that the Council will then make the remainder into Greymouth. So far, the Road Board have acted in an open straightforward manner, and deserve every credit for doing so. ■ They are now, however, met with the opposition of the County Chairman., The question arises, has he the power to control the action of the 'Road Board when they are legally carrying out the spirit of the Act v under which they hold their offices. The Board was called into existence under an Act of the General Assembly, who .furnish funds for the Board to lay out ; therefore its action is quite independent : of the County Council, and.. ap.' long as they comply with the Act that gives them existence, it appears like a piece of arrogance on the part of the County Chairman to attempt to thwart them. This particular money has to be spent in perV manent works, and if the County Chairman has the right to interdict any road being made within miles of the tramways, the Paroa Road Board might have dispensed with the rate they have lately leyied, and allowedthe money to collapse., That the County Chairman has acted injudiciously in the matter ia generally expressed, as his action is only preventing the opening up of the country. What would have tended more to enhance the value of property in Greymouth than the making of this road? but no doubt the property holders alongside of it will call him to account. What course the Road Board will pursue is unknown till after their next meeting, on Thursday, but the country expects them to do their duty, and not be frightened when a County Chairman's shadow comes in their way. The question of compensation to trams is all fudge, for that will arise when the much-talked-of road via Omotumotu is made, which road the County Chairman spoke of when adepiitation waited on him at Hokit^ka some short time since.. ;;The County Council have made themselves responsible for compensation, and they alone must settle that question, but with the action of the Road Board, so Idnga9.it acts honestly, open, and straightforward, the General Government or Assembly alone can interfere.