CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 438, 20 December 1876, Page 2

CO RRESPONDENCE.

t)nr columns are open for free discussion ; hut we do not hold- ourselves responsiblefor the opinions of our Correspondents.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Municipality v. Highway Board. Sir, —I see by a late Auckland paper that the Chairmen of the Parnell, Remucra, and Newmarket Highway districts are about to call a meeting of the ratepayers to consider the desirability of forming those districts into a municipality. I have oflen, (with others), urged the propriety of taking some such steps here ; but, after the manner of the apathetic (in public matters) Gisbornitcs, alltiie letters 011 the subject which appeared in the public prints, did not even provoke discuss'on, much less lead to any practical result. I don’t profess to be au fait on the matter, but I ean perceive many advantages iu, and recommendations in favour of, a municipality: for instance, we we would at least have the expenditure of ail rates, license fees, &c., levied therein, which would be a much more satisfactory state of things than finding our rates spent at the other boundaries of the county ; at any rate we should feel that our own rates be they large or small were spent to our own immediate advantage in the improvement and maintenance of our own immediate neighbourhood. As to the expense, of working a municipality, if it be found desirable, that might be as great or as little as our philanthropy ehose to make it; if the mayor, &c., were all paid officials it would be great, but there are doubtless several gentlemen in Gisborne who wouid be suitable for the office and would accept it unpaid. At a rough guess 1 should think the whole of the office work might be done for £3OO per annum, but this is a detail which would be nearer approximated if the proposed change be entertained and the matter ventilated. In fact this is all that can be done at present and that is my immediate object iu now addressing you, viz. r to bring the matter into public discussion—l am, &e., Civis. .