WAIROA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 343, 31 July 1878, Page 2

WAIROA HIGHWAY BOARD.

(To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sag—Will you kindly allow me, through your columns, to draw the attention of the latepayers of this district to a few facts that I think they may find interesting. In October last 1 wrote to the Road Board, asking them to make the road to my land passable for drays, as I wished to build on it, and required a road to cart timber, &c. ; in so doing, I also specified the line of road that I wished for. Shortly after I received a letter from the Chairman, telling me that the Board had decided to make a road, but by a different line. I then called on the Chairman and told him that this road would be of no use to mo, being double tbe distance, and also that the work required would cost more than twice as much as what 1 asked for. In spite of this I was informed “ that the Board ’would adhere to their former resolution.” Subsequently a protest against any money being spent on the proposed road, and also asking for the same road as I had done, was sent to the Board by a number of ratepayers. The reply they received was that if they would not take what the Board would give them, they might go without any. Plow, Sir, two months ago the Board so far yielded to our wishes as to let a contract for the road I asked for—said contract to be completed (vide specifications) in one month. But, will yon believe it, although the month allowed for completion has expired some time since, there has not been the least attempt made to commence the work yet, and I am informed that the contractor is not bound to perform his contract, and also that the Board are not in the habit of taking any security for the due performance of their contracts. Now, there was once a culvert on this road, but four week ago is was carrried away by a rush of water, leaving a largo open drain across the road. I reported the matter to two members of the Board, but although they are well aware that it is dangerous for any traffic whatever, no steps have been taken to replace it—while the Board have a man employed on day wages cleaning out gutters and filling up every little rut on the road leading to a warden’s residence ; in fact, spending money in opposition to the direct protest of the ratepayers, while I and others are left without any means of carting stores or anything else from either Wavevley or Patea to our homes. But that is not the only complaint I have to make. Yesterday, wishing for some information with regard to the roads, I applied to the Clerk of the Road Board for it, and was informed that he could not give me any, as all the maps, books, &c., (with the exception of the Rate Book) were kept by the Chairman, and were not to be seen by anyone without going to his house. Now, I for one contend that this is not right, and that the maps and books should be left in charge of the Clerk (who has an office in 'Waverley), so that any ratepayer wishing for information might get it without going several miles for it. I could say a good deal more on this subject, but I fear to exhaust your

patience, so must leave tbe rest for another time. Hoping you will kindly find space for this in your valuable columns.—l am, &c., JOHN J. TYLIE. Waverley, July 26, 1878.