Manamatu Herald. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1879. THE STOPPING OF HIGHWAYS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 30, 5 December 1879, Page 2

Manamatu Herald. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1879. THE STOPPING OF HIGHWAYS WORKS.

-■ ■» Very loud complaints are heard throughout the Foxton, Sanclon, and Carnarvon "Wards, at the action of the Xlanawatu Highways Board in passing the following resolution at last meeting : — " That no more tenders be called or accepted until the Board be free of its liabilities." This step has been taken, owing to the financial position of the Board, which, notwithstanding "the receipt of the last subsidy, is still £1000 in debt. Such a state of affairs is greatly to be deplored, as during the summer season labour is more plentiful, and I the country is so dry as to enable the construction or improvement of roads to be pushed on far more rapidly and economically than during the remainder of the year. So far as we can see at present, the whole season will be lost, and the Board might with advantage adjourn sine die, dismiss its officers, and calmly sink into quiescence until the receipt of the next subsidy from the Government. It is worthy of note that the wards in debt aie those in the Upper District, whilst the three southern ones — Foxton, Sandon, and Carnarvon^-have each a large credit balance. The injustice perpetrated towards the three Hidings mentioned cannot therefore be denied. , Many of the settlers in those Eidings have felt severely the strain of being compelled to contribute a shilling rate to both County Council and Highways Board. Yet having done so, they now have the bitter mortification of knowing that their rates have been expended in other pftrts of the district ; and that works of absolute necessity (even the maintenance of roads already existing) are delayed, because of the reckless extravagance of other Wards. To districts in course of settlement, the formation and maintenance of roads are matters of the utmost importance. They enable settlers to reach their land with ease, thus decreasing the cost of living, at the same time that they enable the settler to make a greater profit upon his produce ; they also increase the value of land, and webelieve the settlers do not, as abody, complain at a high rate, provided that ra c is spent on the roads ; but in the present case, the southern settlers (or rather their representatives) have been hoodwinked, for whilst nominally the accounts of the different Wards, are kept separate, it turns out that actually no such thing exists. The northerners have therefore secured their roads out of southera funds, for though supposed to have a credit balance of nearly £700, the three southern Hidings cannot touch a penny of it. We have repeatedly protested against the injustice of such a system of finance. We consider the southern Wards, have been unfairly treated, and trust their representatives will raise their voices against one single penny of rates or subsidy being spent in any Ward with a debit balance until the amount owing to these districts is paid. The Board would have inspired the County with greater respect for them, if their resolution had been as follows : — " That all moneys received from whatever source be paid into the funds of Wards Nos. 1, 2, and 8, until those Bidings have received the payment of their credit balances ; and that no work be executed in the remaining Wards until their present debts are cleared off."