ROADS THROUGH NATIVE LANDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 69, 20 April 1880, Page 2

ROADS THROUGH NATIVE LANDS.

TO THE EMTOII OF THE MANAWATU HERALD. Sir, — In your issue of April 13tli I notice a letter signed by Mr W. H. Simcox, iv which he states, the road the Eoad Board has made in the centre of the township of Otaki is more used than any other road in Otaki. Now, if Mr Simcox had said it was the least used in Otaki, he would have been nearer the truth. There is no ratepayer who derives any benefit from the use of the said road except himself and the natives, who, if they wished to do so, could stop the ratepayers from using it at any time they liked. Why did not Mr Hadfield and Mr Simcox pass the resolution guaraii^^ teeing the ratepayers' money .previous ▼ to the making of this road ? Thore was no resolution made or passed, or any guarantee given to the ratepayers, before I asked for money for my road. When I asked for it, the resolution was made and passed. Therefore the Otaki ratepayers must thank me for this guarantee that their money will not in future be wasted on native lands. I see by Mr Simcox's letter, he has just found out that it is a risky job, spending the ratepayers' jioney on native lauds. Mr Simcox has stated that my meaning is not very clear, but I find it is that clear that the cap fits the right man, regarding the spending of the ratepayers' money on native lands. Sir, when I was at the meeting of. the Eoad Board, asking for money to make my road, the Board had a little puzzle on hand. They could not tell me whether my money in the Road Board was right, or wrong. Anyhow, I found my money in the Eoad Board was sinking fast. Can Mr Simcox or the aforementioned schoolmaster, tell me whether my money in the Eoad Board has rose any yet, or not ? Perhaps this is the sinking fund that Mr Simcox so often * alludes to. Hoping you will excuse the length of this letter, and that you will kindly publish it, I am, &c, Thos Bevan, Junr. Waikawa, April 15, 1880.