ROAD BOARDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 131, 21 October 1912, Page 7

ROAD BOARDS.

THE ABOLITION QUESTION. At Saturday's meeting of the Moa Road Board, a short discussion took place on the proposed abolition of Road Boaris. The question arose through the receipt of a circular letter from J. W. Win, of Awa, who stated that lie was instructed by a conference of road'boards held at Upper Moutere, on September 28th, to forward a copy of a protest which the conference were asking all the Road Boards in the Dominion to sign (all members if possible), and forward through their respective M.'sP. to the Minister of Internal Affairs. In view of the importance of the matter, earliest attention was requested. The resolution was as follov.'s: —"We, the members of the Road Board; most emphatically protest against the abolition of road boards, except by petition of a majority of ratepayers in the district concerned; the experience of the past having been, in our County, to prove that road boards have shown much better results as to economical working than the .larger bodies, who fulfil the same functions, and we believe the same results obtain in other Counties. We, therefore, respectfully urge, before any definite action be taken, that a poll of the ratepayers in the respective ro&d districts be first taken. Furthermore, we suggest that in any Local Government Bill that may bo brought forward provision be made for the creation of new road board districts by a majority petition of the ratepayers in that part of a County in which it is proposed to form sucfh road districts."

Mr, Hopson thought they should certainly support the proposal. At present, pnder the Road Board, thsy knew where their money was spent. If tliey were merged in the County they would not know where -tilie money was being spent. Mr, Lawrence remarked that they were not going into the Taranaki County Council. They would form a county of their own.

Mr, Corkill doubted if this could be be done.

Mr, Trimble said that he would not oppose the resolution, though 'he believed in amalgation, but thought there should be smaller counties. He, however, believed that one body should control all the roads in a given area. Mr. Hopson said that it was a question of plant, which it was difficult to obtain in a small district. They wanted a roller and scarifier in their district.

Mr, Corkill moved that the proposal 'be supported. This was seconded by Mr. ITopson, and carried unanimously.