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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 294, 25 November 1884, Page 2

A great deal has been said of late about Local Government, and the necesstiy for introducing a new system. It may therefore be worth while to inquire how far the cry is justified by facts, and what is really needed to improve the present state of affairs. Our own (N. 7.. Times) conviction is that the present system works well or ill, just as it is administered in different localities. We happen to have a knowledge of its working in two adjacent counties—both long settled, and inhabited by thriving communities—-which we will therefore take as an illustration. In the one the management of road matters, the principal work which Local Bodies have to attend to, has from the first been in the hands of able business men, alive to their duties and responsibilities, and, as a consequence, everything goes smoothly. The Road Boards are merged in the County. Each year an estimate of works proposed to be done during the year is prepared, and a sufficient rate to provide the fundsis levied. An engineer is employed, in whom confidence is placed; and contracts are almost unknown, except for the supply of gravel at certain points where it is spread and the quantity checked by the Council’s men. The works are performed by efficient labourers under the direction of a foreman. Everything is therefore soundly and substantially done Each year a fair amount of new formation and metalling is completed, all localities receiving due attention. In another case Z’5,000 is being applied for to construct nearly seven miles of a mere cross-road which will benefit only a very few. In this county there is a persistent cry for an improved system, and particularly for “ endowments ;” and the leaders in the cry are those who have contributed to lessen the public spirit and self-reliance of their neighbours, and taught them to hang on to the Government. We are persuaded that it is from such localities that the cry for a new system mainly comes, and it should be answered by the establishment of a controlling power to compel local authorities to do their duty. In the case we have just been describing, there should be a power to force the local bodies to levy sufficient rates, and keep the roads in order ; or, if necessary, to levy such rates for them and apply the money efficiently. A howl for en dowments where settlers are perfectly well able to bear the cost of local works is ridiculous.