Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 412, 28 November 1874, Page 2

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Last Saturday we directed our readers to the question of the Provincial changes, and urged upon them the necessity of carefully scanning the arrangements intended to take the place of our Provincial institutions. In the opinion of some, the arrangements are to be of an entirely bureaucratic character, controlled from Wellington, and administered by men placed at the head of affairs solely because of services to party, and not on account of their competency for office. Such seems to be the view of a writer in the "Daily Times." We fail, however, to read this in all that has come under our review sinco the subject was broached by Mr. Yogel. If, however, such be his intention, then we would most decidedly oppose it. Such a scheme savors only of corruption, and no. good could be expected out of it. So far as Mr. Yogel has given his views on the arrangements, the organisation for Gladstone and Timaru districts is to form the model, which, from what we have seen concerning it, we apprehend to be similar in character to the scheme sketched iv the Otago Counties Ordinance, 1872. There is in that Ordinance certainly nothing of a bureaucratic character. Having looked into its provisions, we consider them of a character suitable to take the place of the Provincial ; and it shows both wisdom and foresight on the part of the Provincial Government of Otago thus to prepare the way for the more efficient local government of the outlying districts of the Province. The constitution of these shires or counties bear a resemblance to such municipalities as are already in operation among us. It prescribes for the election of councillors, for the levying of rates, and for the admiiiistration of proportion of land revenue and local taxes, &c. But a better idea of the Ordinance may be obtained by reference to some of its clauses. Clause 2 of the Ordinance empowers a union of Road Boards within an area of twenty-five square miles, and in which £1000 had been raised in one year by rates, to be constituted a county. Section 4 allows the union of a borough and road districts. Section 5 also provides that any part of the Province of Otago, not being within the limits of a municipality or road district, " and being of an area not less than fifty square miles, may be constituted a county," &c. The parties entitled to , vote for " councillors are those whose names are enrolled.' in terms of the OtagO Roads Ordinance, 1871, on the voters' roll of respective distr'cts ; the councillors so elected to choose their own president, who shall also hold the meetings at which elections of county councillors shall bo made. The ordinary revemie of the county to consist of rates levied on main roads, ' ' and all rents of such tolls ; " moneys received from General and Provincial Governments ; also, subscriptions and donations that may be given for general or special works. It is provided by the Otago Road Boards Endowment Fund that 40 per cent, of the land revenue of the Province "be paid into a branch of the Provincial account to be called the Roads Endowment Fund, whereof one-half is to be subject to the appropriation of the Provincial Council for expenditure on main roads and bridges. From this fund the Provincial Treasurer is to pay monthly a sum (see section 42) to the county treasurer equal to a like amount raised by rates ; but if after three months the Provincial Treasurer shali have no satisfactory proof submitted 'to him -that the council of any district are taking 'the necessary steps to levy a rate, then the monthly payment shall be discontinued. So far as these provisions go, we certainly approve of them. Let the expense of public works be shared to the extent of half by the 'various districts in which they are executed, and we have the best guarantee we can poasibly have that the public money will be wisely administered. The method of drawing on a central purse for .every petty scheme that any dreaming mind may start, will be thus checked. Moreover, that luxury which many practise at a cheap rate of spend iingmob****^ money not their own wjj^jHr-fCrrested. The bona fides of will be hereby test^-*ST to the utility of every -ptiW/c work. When we have to pay our own part of the scheme, we shall think more carefully over it before proceeding with the undertaking. , This article has only curnonly looked atj tho constitution of county boards and their ways and means. We have no^ considered the provisions of the Ordinance as to the public functions of the Ipoards to be constituted under it. j

The Melbourne "He; ild" say 3 that a number of chimney ornal lents intheshape of caricatures of loading- ;itizons are now being prepared in plastfj 'by a local artist. ! Those at present (inishef are exceedingly well executed, the likejsses in each instance being capital. fy are to be seen at Mr. Staffs music V i -rehouse at the Arcade. Sir Redmond! »any, Messrs J. T. Smitb, Geo. Ooppif and the Mayor, Mr. Gatehouse, are atfong the number on view,