THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1874

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1787, 28 April 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1874

It will be remembered that some weeks ago a petition largely signed was forwarded to the Superintendent of Nelson, with reference to the necessity of completing the road from Square Town to the Saddle. This petition was forwarded on the supposition— based upon promises made by the Executive — that the Provincial Government would apportion some part of the advance obtained from the General Government in anticipation of the, loan to this work. The petitioners asked for bread, and the Superintendent has: given them a stone. His reply is simply to the effect that he has received the petition ; that he sympathises with the peitibnei B, and will forward the petition to the Minister of Public Works with his recommendation. ■, No one knows better than Mr Curtis himself that the General Government has exhausted all the authorised expenditure for road works in the Grey Valley, and his reply is simply a quiet shuffle to evade the "responsibilities and duties of the Provincial Government. It has always been understood that the Nelson Government would undertake, the completion of this road, and it would have been much better and more frank and truthful if the Superintendent had stated that the Provincial Government had not funds at command, instead of throwing the responsibility of the work upon the General Government. It would seem that there is no chance at present of this road being made The Provincial Government have not the funds, and the General Government can do nothing without a further appropriation by Parliament. In the meantimesupposing it to be probable that the Legislature will grant additional expenditure for road purposes in this district — it is likely, that the traffic between Greymouth and Reefton will suffer great interruptions during the winter, and that the rates of freight will be raised. It is a chronic thing with the Nelson Government, that the Superintendent and his Executive are lavish in their promises, which are made only to be broken.