New Road Districts.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 26 March 1891, Page 2

New Road Districts.

At the present time, hi one portion of the Manawatu County, a feeling exists that the formation of a Road Board would facilitate the opening up of the country. We are not prepared to say whether such a suggestion would be to the advantage of the ratepayers or not, though we have always held to the view that small road boards and large counties were the best subdivisions for practical purposes. We have noticed, however, that those who are dissatisfied do not seem to grasp the steps it is necessary for them to take to get their wishes given effect to, and we therefore give a sketch of such proceeding. It is necessary that a meeting of the ratepayers, who desire a new district, be held and that they fix upon the boundaries of such district, which must be accurately set forth in i he petition to the County Council. Accuracy, in this particular, is most necessary as until the Chief Surveyor has verified the same, the County is prohibited from making any special order. After the boundaries are agreed upon, a petition must be drawn up and signed by two thirds of the ratepayers in the proposed district. The signatures to the petition must be verified by the solemn declaration of the person or persons witnessing such signatures ; to each signature he has to attach his initials. The petition has to be advertised for not less than one month before presentation to the Council. Thus far the proceedings are simple, but the new district must be wholly within one county, and it is best to take in the whole of what Kidings are already formed approaching the area suggested. The petition then goes before the Council who will have to verify the statements, and if not in order, to reject it. If in order they are not necessarily bound to consent to it, but if they do not, the petitioners may request the Governor to grant it, which j if he "is satisfied it ought to have i been, may do so by Order-in-Council and its effect will be the same as though the petition had been granted by the County Council. These are the proceedings necessary and are tolerably simple, and all that is needed on the part of those desiring an alteration in their government is unanimity and accuracy.