THE HIGHWAY BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 56, 28 May 1873, Page 2

THE HIGHWAY BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD. Sir, —I observe in your issue of to-day a notice to ratepayers for a public meeting to be held on Wednesday next, purporting to “ discuss the advisability of enlarging the boundaries of the district.” In my opinion there are matters of more importance to ratepayers, one of which is, the mode or rule by wliich their money is distributed over the district. It has occurred to me that the modus operandi of the Board is nothing more or less than a compulsory subscription by the community at large for the benefit of a few. 1 will instance the works in connexion with the Mill Bush. I believe it would astonish the ratepayers to see a return shewing the amounts directly and indirectly expended on roads, culverts, &c., for the exclusive benefit of the Bush. Is it not preposterous that the community are obliged to pay for improvements on a purely private speculation, while works which would be of public benefit are allowed to stand still ? The modest proprietor of this undertaking (and a member of the Board) is not content to ask for a ? “ grant in aid,” but (to use a vulgar expression) “ goes the whole hog,” and has any “ little thing ” in the way of roads done at once. There are other matters that might be touched upon with advantage to this institution, which I must leave for a future time, as I am afraid I abaft trespass too far on your valuable space. I cannot, however, dose without drawing the attention of the Board, and the public (in contradistinction to the foregoing) to the disgraceful state of the highway from Gisborne to the Big Biver Ferry. Commencing at the Waikanae crossing, the approach to which from the . town side is absolutely dangerous to both man and beast; then the crossing itself is dangerous, the only thing one can say of this piece of engineering is that (the body being safely across) the mind feds relieved on looking back-at the two nicely painted beacons, which by-the-bye may be ornamental (there is no accounting for taste) but their utility is open to question, as the road between is quite as bad as that on either side Then there are two or three bad places along by the Awapuni (including the bridge) where a few pounds might be spent with advantage to wayfarers in that, direction.

The whole of the improvements required along the line I believe could be done for about £5O, and yet we have a member from thia aide of the Bay who (to his shame be it said) has done nothing to improve this road. I can hardly agree with the idea of enlarging the district with no commensurate advantages to the ratepayers in prospect. The rates yielded in the present district are anything but equitably disposed of for the benefit of the public, and I think that the first object of this meeting should be to pass a vote of “ want of confidence ” in the present Board with a view to improvement in the future. Apologising for so far encroaching on your valuable space.— I am, &c., W. 8. Greene. Kairiki 24th May 1873.