The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 878, 20 September 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1881.

o On Saturday last the Wairarapa East County sanctioned the transfer of a Ward containing a length of fifteen miles of road from the Cashpoint Highway District to the Masterton Highway District. This alteration of boundaries is'purely a matter of local interest, in which, but a small handful of settlers are concerned, but it possesses some importance from the fact that it is in this district, as far as we are awaro the lirst successful exercise of a very considerable power placed in the hands of the people to regulate their own affairs. Country settlers sometimes seem scarcely conscious of the local self-governing privileges which they possess, and fail to grasp the fact that they can change at will the boundaries of Highway Districts, Ridings, and Counties, whenever there is a substantial advantage lo'ne gainer! by stiuli alterations.. If settlers realised fully their powers in this direction changes would be much more frequent than they have been hitherto. The Upper Tauern settlers have as it were "broken the ice" with a view to place themselves in a better position to procure the facilities for traffic which they need. We cannot suppose I hat the residents in that'locality are the only ones who are "non-content," with their existing road accommodation, they are, however, the only ones who have by a decided and practical step placed thenioelves in a position to obtain their requirements. It is also gratifying to notice that settlers in other Wards seeing that their Upper Tauern neighbors were doing good for themselves came beforo the Council to point out that other alterations of boundaries- were desirable. The example of the Upper Tauern settlers is therefore being already copied in other parts. of the district, and powprs under our local acts which have hitherto laid dormant are beginning to be exercised. Parliament in legislatingfor local bodies has given them very wide powers for shaping these own destinies, and the development of local self-government in a great measure depends upon making use of their privileges. The progress of Counties, Highway Districts, and Boroughs, depends less upon the paternal aid of the Government than on the'r own vitality and on the enterprise which takes advantage of every opportunity to improve the conditions under which they are worked. Almost every local body has a practically unlimited power of self-development. Itcan with or without subsidy " go ahead" if it chooses to do so. The transfer of the Ward from the Cashpoint Highway Board to the Masterton Highway Board is an evidence of that vitality which is so essential to the KUCCPSB of local self government, and it is admitted that its immediate effect will be a better road connecting Bideford wi'li Masterton. We hope in time to see other changes on a larger scale effected, believing that it is quite possible by united efforts to connect Masterton and Temii'by a good, -macadamised road, Th» spirit of progress is evidently roused on the silent highways of County East, and will we trust year by year gather strength, The Upper Taueru settlers have set an admirable example of "self help," and have as it were struck the key note of real local-self-government.

These is a desire mi the part of some members if the House that the coming elections sli ill take plains in November. It is, hone o, ;i question whether it be prncticitliii- 1* hold them 4 such'an early date.. Nc« chums will h-ivo to bo made by voters; tho lists will have to bn.re-'.-vised, timde up, and printed liofore, na it were, the Government can issue instructions tn reluming officers. It is very questionable ■whether all this c,m bo done within tht space of three months.