WAITOA ROAD BOARD ELECTION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 388, 27 July 1889, Page 2

WAITOA ROAD BOARD ELECTION.

[To the Editor.] Sir, — The coining Waitoa Road Boatd election is causing great interest to be taken in it by n large number of settlers this side of the Waitoa river. Whether it will end well, remains to be seen. As far as I can learn it it intended to make a great effort to keep out of the new Board anyone who shapes from the western side of the Waitoa river. The stated reason given for this is, I believe, the neglect of the present majority of the Board ; by their refusal to provide roads and drains in suitable quantity for individuals in general. We are all of satisfied that it is only by monopolizing the whole of the money collected by rates, that we shall be able to get that fair due, which by right is I ours, good outfalls, good drains, and good roads everywhere. As far as I can learn of the opinion of our leader in the matter, if we ore successful in gaining the election, it is intended to strike a three-half-penny rate, as a kind of afeeler for the large estates, and with this money to start at one end of the district and thoroughly overhaul the whole concern in regular order, according to a carefully devised plan, which has been lithographed for the purpose, and thus year by year spend the rates, until we rise to the level of the Morrinsville portion of the district, It has been seriously impressed upon the ratepayers, the necessity for sinking all personality in the matter, and that union is strength, to vote for the ticket straight, and upset the Morrinsville I apple cart. Now, Mr Editor, this is all very well, and would bo very nice to a lot of us whose rates are nrt very bi#, yet somehow there seems to be difficulties about it which may possibly spoil the whole J show. I fancy that we are going it rather strong, when we want to do what we say Moninsville hasdone. viz., have all the good things in one side of the district, because 1 1 think it possible to woik the thing so that, each can have a share ; for looking at the facts fairly it brings to my mind a remark made by a settler here at. the last Council election, " that it was no mutter whether the candidate lived at Morrinsville or Wajhou, as long as he was a conscientious resident latepayer, he would do his duty to tho distiiut," Perhaps the gentleman in question does not apply the remark to Koad Board elections. I know not. I fear that our attempt to get the power to govern things relating to our rates, will be spoilt by a split in the camp. I have heard several people remark that it would be a very unfair thing to try to shunt some o£ the old members oflf the line, Thcrd

appears to be asensc of gratitude lingering about with lcspeut to Liiein, und if on'y for past services, when there was no one able or willing to direct or load matters relating to roads, tlioy should rocoive tlio support ofWaihon, forgetting all their shortcomings, remembering only that at? men, they had more than average unselfishness in voting out' the funds to all parts of the district, and personally speaking I think jthe present Chairman one of the most 'conscientious men that I ever knew of in regaid to his duties to the public. lam one of the crowd of small cockatoos, and am looking for the " manna " liko the rest. Yet I would after all prefer tli3 old order of tilings, when two men represented Morrinsville, two at Waihou, and one at Richmond ; for without being a: seer, yet I can see if we cet Government at Waihou, there will be so many laid up with lockj.iw that the business will not b^ got through properly, and a lot of in will have to starve while the gra^s is growing. Before I leave this matter I may say I heard a retnar.v the other day that three times the rates collected had been spent upon the roads here. I have no doubt it is ti ue, for years ago Morrinsville goods came our way. and the money was spent to koop the traffic open. I remember it well for I had a good few ■ pounds of it, perhaps its this that gives me a sense of gratitude, so it ought. Reuben Parr w-as member then, and in that particular line you oouldn't rub him out. I believe he is to be nominated this time. I hope Waihou people, yes and Morrinsville too, will give him a lift towards the top on polling day. And putting aside selfishness, which always seems to want to be boss with us all, I think that Messrs Hanmer and Parr would be all sufficient, and that they having 1 no axes to grind at present, would pee that the grindstone was fairly and evenly worn* It is to be hoped though whoever may be the Road Board, that they will put an end to the system of letting private contracts to such an extent as they did last year, for to say the least of it, it causes a lot of grumbling and suspicion amongst us, the labouring clasß, I believe most Road Board's and County Council's make a by-law to the effect that no private con tract shall be let over the value of fivepounds, and is it not right, seeing that as a rule kissing goes by favour and that many want work, and a very few have overmuch „ Unless there be public competition woiking men will not have a fair show in the- - struggle for life, and surely it is the duty of public bodies tt> know and do this. — I am, etc. Waitoa Labourer. Waitoa, July 23rd. 1889. [The above letter, although evidentlyintended to appear in our i^sue of Wednesday lnst, did not reach us until that day.— Ed.]