MR BARUGh'S GRIEVANCE. Mr Ewen's Version.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2217, 23 September 1886, Page 2

MR BARUGh'S GRIEVANCE. Mr Ewen's Version.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Allow me space to correct a very misleading report which appeared in your issue of the 21«t inst., relative to the right of way between Messrs Barugh and A wen. Your report would lead anyone not acquainted with the true facts of the case to believe Mr Barugh to be an injured innocent. Your report Hays "Mr Lwen demanded the sum of £50 cash or £2 per year for 50 years." Now, I beg to state no such demand was ever made. It is true Mr Barugh spread such a report abroad to the public (well knowing it to be an untruth), no doubt with the intention of exciting the sympathy of the council and strengthening his claim to get a second road to his property. Mr Barngh bought hw, property from the late Mr P. Leslie, with the right-of-way which he has usod uninterruptedly up to the present time. If ho considered the privilege too dearly bought, why did ho not come forward like a man and say so, and I would have met him on his own terms, as I had no desire to make money or to use Mr Barugh's expression, to " fleece " him. The two pounds per year was offered by Mr Leslie for the pri\ ilepe of crossing my property, and allowing him to erect the present bridge, which sum he always paid without a murmur, thus 8how - (- ing himself to be an upright business man. Before concluding, 1 j think it a very unfair demand Mr Barugh has made, considering ho has a first-class Tamahere road to his property, at a cost of some two or three hundred pounds, and an uninterrupted right of way at a nominal rental. Mr Barugh would I have saved himself considerable expense had he come to me in the first instance, and arranged it between ourselves. Perhaps it would be as well if the clerk of the road board confined himself to his own duties, • unless he has been engaged as an exponent of Mr Barugh's wrongs. No doubt the Cambridge Road Board are capable of conducting their own business. If they are not it in high time some others were put in their places who are. Do the Cambridge and othar road boards pay their clerk anything extra for his opinions, that he is always so ready to utter them ? — I am, yours faithfully, Charlks Ewkn. Tamahere, September 22nd, 1886.