King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1912. WAITOMO COUNTY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 468, 25 May 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1912. WAITOMO COUNTY.

The resume of the year's work of the Waitomo County Council which was presented at last meeting of the council should be interesting reading for ratepayers throughout the district. As a foundation for progress the first essential of any locality is the efficient roading thereof, and upon such foundation is based the permanent prosi perity of the people. This fact is universally recognised, and upon the man- | ner in which thw functions of the . council are exercised much depends. The Waitomo Council from its coming 1 into operation has had to grapple with a stupendous task, and it says much for the enterprise of the council that - the effort has on every occasion been commensurate with the importance of the work with which itwas confronted. Controlling an area of a million acres of sparsely settled country, in which the term "road" meant merely formed track without metal, it was apparent that the work of the new county included something infinitely greater than the exrecise of the ordinary functions of a local body in an old established and Well settled district. To the credit of the council be, it said that this fact has been thoroughly recognised, and whenever opportunity has arisen of promoting the interests of i the settlers in any manner soever the members of the council have cooperated loyally for the benefit of the district. During the past year a feature of the council's activities has been the raising of loans to further metalling schemes promoted by settlers in various portions of the county. The success which has attended the efforts in this direction and in the obtaining of substantial subsidies in each instance has been most marked, and those responsible are deserving of the hearty commendation of the ratepayers. For the first time in the history of the district the council was entrusted with the expenditure of many of the Government grants voted on the Estimates. Unfortunately handicapped by a season which was a record for broken weather, and by delay in receiving authority to do the work the best results were not possible. However, there is every reason to hope that in future the functions of the council will be considerably extended in this respect, and there can be no doubt the change will prove of advantage to the district. A gratifying feature in connection with the Waitomo Council is the manner in which its individuality and influence are recognised liy kindred bodies in other district?. .Hi-presenting an important and highly progressive, district it h lifting Mint, this should be so, but without, doubt, such influence is in a ! lin go measure sine to the broad public spirit ami sound judgment exercised bv the county ehainnaii in directing the work of the council. ilreadth of . conception ami \vc 11 b.uhuuvil juug- : t. are invaluable assets any public body, and it is. to the credit ot the Waitomo Council that its pel icy | hat' ever been on the- broadesi Hues j and directed unswervingly to the bene- j 111 of the whole district. Tlx re- are [ many ihino.s yet to be dene, and the j fact, that general coinmemiat ion can be i ■ extended to our local body does not denote that it is perfect in nil its • workings. However, in the light of I the good work accomplished, we have ; every confidence that, in the ensuing; i year the. en oris of (ho pas! will be > eclipsed. Weaknesses which may on- ; ist will lie searched, out, and overcome, ar.d the work of the bony will be carried on with the same degree, of ; public, spirit and dignity which has i characterised it in the past. i