Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOV. 8, 1894. Amateur Legislation.

Manawatu Herald, 8 November 1894, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOV. 8, 1894. Amateur Legislation.

At the last meeting of the Borough Council, a Councillor actually moved a resolution that the right to graze on the roads in the Borough for one year be sold ! it is much to the credit of the' other Councillors that the resolution was 1 -at, and was merely. seconded pro for ma, to afford the proposer a chance to explain how the rights possessed by the public could be set aside, and how the laws of the colony could be ignored. It is needless to say that in this he failed, contenting himself ffith the remark that it appeared an asßet and therefore should be obtained, and, he further made the astounding assertion that some person, most probably out of his mine, had stated his willingness to pay £25 a year for the grazing on forty square chains of road. We might have passed by such utterances as the Council did, but being made by a recently re elected representative of the people, they require to be criticised, as offering a clue to explanations which may bo needed in the future. The Bonugh has cot any exclusive property in | the public thoroughfares, their duty is to improve them and care for them for the immediate benefit of the land fronting such roads and for the benefit of those using them. Roada can be closed after a deal of labour but then only if it can be shown ; (bat luoh ft wai in ef ao me qj?

other provision is made. The folly <f the proposal b- comes evident Wli'.-ii ill ii tU-ticd " Viiii'L !i::C\-L'i'.y Oliii i<« given to the put chaser ihat he j will get the grass ho buys ?" The j Borough may agree, as a body, not to employ anyone to impound hio stock, but the Impounding Act permits the owner of any land fronting a road to impound stock grazing opposite his boundary, and the Police Off nces Act declares that any person is liable to a penalty who permits any cattle to be at large, or without proper guidance, or to wander, or to be herded or gr.i7.ed. The purchaser of the privilege of grazing would come under thi> description and would thus he at the mercy of every passer-by. Thus it appears fortunate that no other Councillor could view this proposal in the same light as the mover, as unnecessary expense might have been incurred as well as a law suit with a disappointed purchaser.