CORRESPONDENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 289, 19 March 1874, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]

(To the Editor of the Waikato Times). $ IK > — I have for boihd tnno been under the impression that reform in the constitution of oar Road Boards was necessary ; in fact, the dntrict should be iormed into one sluro or county, with a council to conduct the work at present insufficiently performed by the nine boards. If this were done, I am of opinion tlmt the work would be more efficiently done by a th.rd' of tho number of members or oouncillon. I would suggest that tho council bo composod ot members elected at the rate of one for every hundred pounds of rates collected in the district ; each district to receive its f<ur allowance of revenue after deducting general [ expenses. The advantages would bo comiderable — one chairman, one collector, and one secretary in place of nine. One competent engineer, and foreman of works, whose duty it would bo to see all works were performed according to contract, the large amount of voluntary woik, and often disagreeable work at present performed by members of Boards, would be unnecessary. I admire public spirit, and I know nothing more likely to damp it than serving as a Highway Trustee for two or three years. One of the greatest disadvantages of the present system is that Boards are not in a position to make any permanent progreas ; in fact, as regards bridges, the work has mostly to bo redone next year. The present system involves upon Trustees more voluntary labour than the public have a right to expect from them. The consequence is, that when the annual meeting comes round, one member thinks be has had too much to do, and refuses to do any more, or the ratepayers think he hit not done enough, and decline to reelect him, the consequence often being entirely new members of a Board each year, to blunder as their predecessors, and make engineering experiments as they had done, at the expense of the ratepayers. I would also suggest that the council be elected for two yean — one half to retire annually. Tho duties of the council I take it should be the opening of _f...»1i ....I. repair joIH nnpju Thmnav igat ion of our rivers should be under their supervision ; the education of our children, provision for the sick and destitute, with direct responsibility to the General Government- without any Provincial control. I admit that the work performed by Road Boards is of great importance in isolated districts, but I think the population and wealth of tho Waikato demandi something more, in fact I think the people «.r« quite capable of self-governmant, and that to obtain justice, we must govern ourselves. I would ask how often have deputations waited on the Provincial Government of Auckland to ask assistance, never received. The same old tale is raked up on each occasion. The General Government absorb all the land revenue of tho Waikato, but the fact is ignored that other revenue finds it» way into the Provincial chest ; with tho object, no doubt, of making the deputieo feel themselves beggars asking alms instead of men mildly asking their rights. I feel that I cannot do the subject justice, but if my effort attracts the attention of the intelligent and thoughtful I shall bo satisfied. — I am, &c, X. L.

(To the Editor of the Waikato Times.) SiR, — I hope you will give the paragraph in your pappr of the 17th, stating that the men of the E.V. corps are, or have been, in a mutinous state, a most unqualified denial. Such a statement took myeelf and other residents hero quite by surprise, as it is altogether false. — Yours, &c, James Shbbley. Banginri, March 18, 1874.

(To the Editor of tho Waikato Times ) Sib, — In justice to the company of Engineer Volunteer Militia stationed here, (I allude to No. 2 Company) I trust you will in your next issue give a direct contradiction to a paragraph which appears in this day's Waikato Times, stating " that the company here is in *■ state of mutiny." Whoever your informant is, I can only tell him that he is grossly ignorant of affairs here, or otherwise he n'.nst have some motive in villifying the character of men who are doing their duty faithfully in every respect and giving satisfaction to the Government. — Yours, &c, Settled, Rangiriri, March 17th, 1874.