The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1633, 21 December 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1881.

TriE statement recently published by the newly-elected County Chairman with regard to County matters generally, and the financial condition of the County in particular, shows that the County revenue for several years has gradually but surely declined. The sources of revenue; with one or two exceptions, remain as formerly, but the unpleasant fact forces itself upon our notice in a manner not to be denied, that "Westland as a County is in what may be termed a poverty-stricken condition, and the question arises as to the means to be adopted to deal with the situation. Mr Dungan does not hesitate.to ascribe the financial depression to the fact that the constitution of the Boroughs of Kumara and Ross has diverted a large amount of revenue which would have been at the disposal of the County Council into different channels. He further goes on to explain that the abolition of tolla has tended very .materially to lessen the County revenue. The County Chairman then proceeds to suggest, in unmistakable terms that the above-men-tioned boroughs should be abolished and merged into the County. With regard to the case of Ross, it might or might not be judicious to Carry out the proposal of the County t.hairman ; plainly s| eakitig it should never have been Under the jurisdiction exercised under the Municipal Corporations Act; hut as to Kumara, the case is entirely difieient. Municipal institutions in this toNVn have worked with tolerable smoothness; the Borough revenue has been judiciously expended, and it is no empty boast to assert that the streets of Kumara, in the matter of construction, will compare mo.-t favirab'y wish

those of other New Zealand towns of thirty years' standing. No reason has as yet been shown why the Borough of Kumara should be abolished, except that its revenues should be scattered through the County, instead of being spent in the place in which they are raised. Our opinion is that the real secret of the financial depression in County affairs is mainly to be accounted for by the fact that Westland has an undue burden placed upon it by being forced to maintain main roads, which ai-e, properly speaking, cdlonial works. This completely cripples the resources of the county, and compels an expenditure which should be provided for by the General Government, or rather by the Assembly. Arterial means of communication should always be provided for by the colony, aud a district with a comparatively small population, has no right to have burdens placed upon it which it is unable to bear.

We cordially agree with the proposal to oblige Chinamen to take out miners' tights, but it is an open question as to whether the revenue will be increased to any great extent by carrying out the proposition. Persons who are in the habit of attending the Warden's Court must know that a case has rarely or never occurred where a Chinaman fails to produce the legal document. In a free country like New Zealand, licensehuntiug can hardly be confined to one particular class, and should it become general, we should have a repetition of the scenes of old times. The theory is right enough, but how about the practice ?

The statement of the County Chairman gives details as to the assets and liabilities of the County, from which it appears that the liabilities exceed the assets by the sum of £1386 lis 3d. This deficiency will have to be met, and it will remain with the newly-elected County Council to devise means to meet the emergency.