The Lyttelton Times. Saturday, March 15, 1856.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 352, 15 March 1856, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times. Saturday, March 15, 1856.

The Race Meeting of this week, which has so agreeably diversified the usual matter of fact and industrial routine of colonial life, lias also been the means of retarding- in its progress through the Provincial Council a measure the wisdom and good policy of which is somewhat questioned. The Roads Bill is still in committee. Difficulties present themselves far more easy of recognition than removal : and we question if Government n ill succeed in retaining even so much of the original character of the Bill (should it become law) as will ensure its operating in a manner to answer the ends originally intended. The amendment so far is anything1 hut calculated to improve the usefulness of the Bill. More particularly an amendment of the 6th clause which has been adopted in committee.

The Government in bringing forward this Bill, declares as its reason for so doms\ that well grounded apprehension exist? of there j beiu£*uciia«c;.>rcity of money as will pi-event I Government from ecnstructiny and repairing I such roads as are necessary" and indispen- J sable to this Province ; and that, therefore, j in the absence of such funds, the only tiling • remaining in the pu\v.-r of Government is to place in the hands of the people the riyht to tax i'ne:n>elv(e«. ji, o rd-r thai they may "make and maintain su<-h r.ecessary roads." The \ draff we are now p.-rusiny certainly intended to confer such powers, hut the terms of the amendment in cnmniittee to clause H at. ouwuUieiy uh»r th« character of t!ie Bill, ami actuHiiy ;vv.vent and forbid the application of ,-my rnon"y raised by rates, in piir.-!):i;u:.- oi the powers and jirovisions of the intend.:d stauite. towards those, purposeri and in ojd-->r to the prevention of tho>e rhiiieuiti-js. in the antici])ation oi' whic!) Govennnenl s-ek i^v their R,,ad Bii! t<> pr.vl<i'- a rem-'-dy. >.iiouid the Hoad Bill the;-! became iaw, for what state of thiius are \y. v j o j o ok ? '.•> hy (adopting of course lh» opi-iiou of the Provincial Governme:,t)Ve siir.n iiave no m'»nr-y 1o spare for road inak'ini.' or rc.pairiiift. The district rate pavers are to he positively forbidden to touch <> am rorids ;.v,d ditches at :d! ; consequently wniusf.. !;y (he direct Ojjeration of this Road I>iU. K \vA\ c )>(> new main roads, Vmh veev Suva uncou.inoniy b;>d old ones.