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Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 107, 23 October 1878, Page 2

As our readers are well aware, the settlers of Fitzherbert— -who have been systematically neglected m the past,' both by the Highways Board and the Governmenthave been taking some action to obtain the formation of roads m their district. It may be recollected that when Mr Labnach held the portfolio now m the hands of Mr Macandbew, he made a distinct promise to Mr McNeil that £1000 should be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates for opening up roads on the South side of the Manawatu, m the Fitzherbert Distriot. Through some neglect on tho part of the Ministry, the sum was omitted when the Supplementary Estimates were brought up, and as Mr Johnston had quitted the House, no attention was drawn to the error, and the vote lapsed last Session.. During the present sitting of Parliament, the matter has again been prominently brought under the notice of Mr Johnston, with a request that he would bring some pressure to bear upon the Government to keep faitli m the performance of the promise made, and the following is the reply received by Mr McNeil from that gentleman : — " Wellington, 16th October, 187S.— HenbV^McNeiz,, Esq., Chairman of Manawatu Highways Board. — Dear Sir,— l received this morning the letter signed by yourself, by Mr Snei,sqn, and by Mr Bbuoe. As I could only give notice for Wednesday, and the prorogation is expected to take place on Tuesday, I thought the best thing I could do was to write to Mr Macandbew, explaining the substance of the letter to, me, and asking him if he would place £1000 on the Estimates m redemption of the promise made by Mr Labnach. Mr Maoandbbw minutes me as follows : " I fear we must adhere to the polioy of leaving such works to the local bodits. I have had a legion of similar cases to withstand." lam inclined to think that the subsidies, which amount to about a quarter of a million, will be stopped next year, and the money, or at all events a considerable portion of it, devoted to opening up the country. — Yours truly, Walteb W. Johnston." The above is but another instance of the manner m which the promises made when the Government took office have been carried out. They then spread their sails to catoh the popular favor ; they traded upon their aotionsuV'the future, and now, when too late, the people are beginning to discover how sadly they have been deceived.