The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1725, 26 July 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal an 4 exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

TH VRSDA V, JUL Y 26, 1883.

ThE •' Roads and Bridges Construction. Act " has proved itself one of the most acceptable pieces of legis* lative mechanism in the way of facilitating local self government that could well be devised. Already its good effects are becoming apparent throughout the district, for where nothing but mere tracks — in some places a chain of bog holes — existed heretofore, well formed and durable roads are now to be found. Evidently it has been a blessing to many of ihe highway districts in Waikato which have taken advantage of the graud facilities which it affords; and the example thus set being attended with good results we have little doubt that many other of our district bodies will follow the example set them, and take advantage of the new act in like manner. But there is one simple, though we might say serious, deficiency in the act which requires immediate remedying, and which as the remedy is equally as apparent as the deficiency, and could very easily be effected, we hope will receive th. attention of the Government at an early date. It is the making of progress payments to contractors who have undertaken la/ge contracts of road formation. The matter was brought under the notice of the Piako County Council at its last meeting by the county engineer, Mr Purchas, who stated that if the contractors on the WaiorongomaiShaftesbury road did not receive their progress payments for the work which they had done a strike would be inevitable, and work would consequently be suspended. The act stipulates that a progress payment shall be made whenever the Government engineer has inspected the work and passed it. To all appearances nothing could be fairer than this, for no contractor would presume to ask for payment until his labour was finished, and in a proproper manner. But Government engineers are like ports in a storm, few and far between, and though a work may be completed to-day, and the contractor has earned his progress payment, many weeks may elapse before the visiting angel of governmental grace appears on the scene to pass the work. In the meantime the contractor is being dunned by his men, and his men by the storekeepers, and so a very unfair, and to say the least, very objectionable grievance is called into existence. The remedy is a simple one. It is sufficient that the county engineer, who is always convenient, should certify to the work being properly done, and on receipt of lm certificate the progress payment should be made. We are glad to notice that the Piako County Council have taken the matter up, and have resolved to represent it to the Minister for Public Works. It is to be hoped their representations will be stimulated by others from all other of the local bodies throughout the province, who have taken advantage of the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act.