ROAD BOARDS ON GOLDFIELDS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 215, 14 March 1872, Page 7

ROAD BOARDS ON GOLDFIELDS.

Mr. Curtis, .the Superintendent of Nelson, at a recent meeting in Charleston, referring to the Payment to Provinces Act, and tho effect it would have upon the goldfields, is reported by the " Herald " to have spoken as follows :—

Perhaps tlie most important measure passed by the Assembly hist session was the Payment to Provinces Act. By this, the sums formerly granted to the provinces for appropriation had been reduced nearly one-half. This, therefore, was of great importance to the whole of the colony, and of unfortunate special importance to these goldfields ; for though, as Mr. Fox had remarked to the recent deputation here, this loss has been to some extent provided for by the £100,000 voted to Road Board?, only the settled districts would benefit thereby, the goldfields being sufferers ; whereas, had the money been appropriated as formerly, the goldfiolds would have had it to bo immediately expended on roads in the usual way. The effect of this Act, therefore, was that these goldfields would lose their proportion of the capitation allowance. This matter brought him to the establishment of Road Boards upon our goldfields. He had pledged himself at the time of the passing of this Act to introduce a Bill at tho next sitting of the Provincial Council for the formation of Road Boards. This, however, would be an entirely optional measure. He could not see how, under present chcumstances, any considerable amount of rates could be raised, and if it came to the question of rating miners' claims, there would be first an injustice, and, secondly, an insuperable difficulty. Fir&t, an injustice in attempting to rate and assess miners' claims, and secondly a difficulty aud an utter impossibility, in valuing them. Thousrh he had promised to introduce this Bill for the establishment of Road Boards, it would only bo of suck a nature that the goldfields ,inigbt, or might not, as

they saw fit, take advantage of. He was induced to give, the pledge by the members for the Buller and the Grey Valley, who said that there was a desire existing amongst the goldfields residents for such Boards ; but he must confess that for himself he had never beard any such desire expressed. After the next session they would have an opportunity afforded them of forming Road Boards, and of obtainiug a portion of the money so set aside.