The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1871.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 141, 23 April 1879, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1871.

A few days ago we referred to the little difficulty which' prevents the County Council of Wairarapa East from continuing the construction of the road to Temii, and we are sorry to notice that tbo subsequent meeting of the Council lias tonded rather to aggravate than to allay the difference which oxists on this subject. The testimony of several competent and disinterested witnesses is conclusive 011 one point, viz,, that Mr King, hi what is called the Black Hill route, has laid off the best permanent line in the interests of the district as a whole. Public opinion is by this time well informed as to the conscientious manner in which this engineer does his work, and his experience and ability, too, are generally recognised ; so that without very good ground and without very strong evidence, his verdict on any particular line would be regarded as final. The opposition to Mr King's line comes from Lower Whareama, the settlers in which, we understand, desire another route which will give them more direct communicationwithMasterton, They object to Mr King's line not for engineering reasons, but simply because in laying it off he has sacrificed their individual advantage to the general goo.d. It was therefore a matter of great regret that at the meeting held on Monday last, two Councillors, finding that they could not upset the Black Hill route on its own merits, attacked Mr King personally, and endeavored to show that he was a blunderer, and unreliable. Mr Pharazyn, who was a perfectly disinterested witness, and is a shrewd observer, proved in reply that Mr King had been perfectly consistent throughout, and that the gentlemen who were attacking him did so because tliey failed to understand his action in the matter, It was a matter we say of great regret that two Councillors should have at tacked the County Engineer, not only because as Mr Pharazyn characterised it the attack was " most unfair," but because the County, if it treats its Engineer in this manner, must not expect to retain an officer who values his selfrespect. If the connection between County East and Mr King is dissolved the loss will most decidedly be on the side of the County. Nor will the majority of the Councillors regard with other feelings than those of annoyance and regret the action of two of their members, who have been so unwise in their criticism. Mr. King, of course, possesses the confidence oi the Chairman and of all those Councillors who are not interested personally in the Black Hill route, The public wo feel certain regard with satisfaction the independent and manly course the County Engineer has taken in reference to the disputed line of road. Under these circumstances we hope Mr King will not sever his connection with the Coiuity because an improper and unjust attack was made upon him. We express this hope because we arc aware there is reason to believe that County East may lose his valuable services from this cause. It is a matter of regret that in a large districtJike the Whareama which is kept in almost a primitive state by want of road communication, disputes and petty differences amongst its handful of settlers should be the main obstacle to the extension of road lines. Jt was disheartening to hear a leading settler from the district cite as a triumphant argument that if the line were taken so and so, somebody would fence right across it; that if they didn't get it just where tliey wanted it they would not redeem their promise to take up debentures. All this dirty linen would be better washed at home, and if brought out at all at the Council table mentioned with some appropriate indication, not of triumph but of shame and disgust. As thejjase uow stands the construction of tljP>lack Hill road is suspended, and .£650 which was about to be spent upon 'it will probably be expended in another riding where there is sufficient unanimity to enable a public work to be carried out, and where a County Engineer can lay off a road and do his duty honestly and conscientiously without being snubbed.