SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1890.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 68, 22 March 1890, Page 2

SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1890.

TOLLS OR NO TOLLS. *

The tollgate question is, we are glad to see, assuming a less excited form than at firßt. The foolish and uncalled-for prosecution which took place yosterday onded, as every ono expectod it would do, in a dismissal, and wo trußt that this phase of the matter will be hoard no more of, and also that thero will be no further resort to violence. The County Council, howover, have only themselves to blame for what occurred, as their underhand efforts to attain their ends invited reprisals perhaps outside the law. Tho points at issue now, however, can and should be fought out in a legal way, and wo are glad to see that the meeting last night deoided to adopt this course. The highest obtainable legal advice has been given to the effect that tho County Council has no right to erect these new tollbars, or to collect tolls at thorn. The pretence that tho publication of a notico is sufficient to "establish" a tollbar fourteen days before tolls can be collected thereat, will not, we believe, bear legal examination, and tho duty of tho settlers, who so justly object to the imposition of tolls, will bo to firmly refuso to pay what there is every reason to believe is an illegal impost. Tho question of legality can then bo at onoe brought to tho test, and an authoritative decision bo obtained. It would not be fair to throw the cost of obtaining this on any ono individual, and the meeting last night aotod moat properly in resolving to entrust tho matter to a committeo, to conduct whatever legal proceedings may bo necessary, at the common post. Considering tho amount of legal ability possessed by the numerous members of the profession who, as ratepayers, are taking an active personal interest in the question, the committee should not lack good advice or bo put to much expense in detending the interests of tho pnblic. It will bo for tho members of tbe County Council to consider how they are to justify to tho ratepayers tho expenditure of public money in a vain endeavour to assert a position not legally tenable. The ratepayers will in due season, no doubt, exact a stern reokoning for such conduct, and it is quite possible that the Auditor-General may have something to cay about County funds being used in such a manner.