GRANTS AND NATIVE RATES.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 17 August 1894, Page 3

GRANTS AND NATIVE RATES.

(to the editor.) Sir,—Having seen a few letters in your columns on this subject, it is, in my opinion, hardly worth writing about, but I do not like to see correspondence which may raise hopes in some qptrfcers of increased road expenditure. First we have special rates; next, native rates ; finaly, returns of receipts and expenditure. I opposed such returns being made for the following reasons :—The Road Board, being an annual body, clearly their duty is for one year only, unless any special matter has been entered in the minute book by their predecessors ; even then they are not bound to take notice and give effect to any such record ; in fact, they may have been elected because the ratepayers would not sanction such contemplated action. Special grants: The occupiers of the land on the roads for which such special grants were made allowed the Road Board to exceed their powers by the expenditure of the said grant otherwise than for the purpose for which it was voted. All are equally guilty. The present Road Board is not in any way liable for their misdeeds. Native rates: These amounts were received under the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act many years since.. What is the yearly proportion of Crown lands included in the amount; ? Then to correctly estimate the expenditure, take the first year's receipts, its expenditure, where expended, what work done, and cost of same to the Board. Do this year by year. This, sir, cannot be done, simply because in the early days any Board receiving suoh rates spent them as they considered to the best advantage of the district, and in accord with the spirit of the Act under which tbey were received. I considered such a return a great waste of time, always have, and will oppose it. Every road in the district wants its full share of expenditure, and will, as far as I am concerned, receive it.—l am, &c, Wm. J. Wellh.