THE TOLL.GATE QUESTION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 882, 8 October 1867, Page 2

THE TOLL.GATE QUESTION.

Sin, — I think the meeting held on Saturday evening at the Masonic Hall,' rfor.the purpose of preventing, if possible, the passing of the " Toll-gate Bill " through the Provincial Council, cannot be congra--; tulated on its results. A* meeting more barren of consequence and; sound argument I have never seen. For instance, one gentleman present, with his usual sophistry, argued in favor of " tolls " as against " rates " ; and ultimately tabled a motion to that effect. Now, what on earth has the question of levying " household rates " in a town to do with a " toll tax " ! in the country ? and, supposing the meeting had affirmed that resolution, would that secure us against those rates which .. the sanitary condition of all towns demands as imperative? Town board rates and country road taxes each have their work to perform, and it is only a question of time before seeing them both in operation. A second speaker took a more interested view of the matter, and said a toll-gate would keep the native trade from his shop ; and, in another place, said that the "hundreds" of people riding out on " Sundays," would omect to the imposition ! ! A third— the Chairman — took yet a more personal view, and decried a toll-! gate, because, forsooth, it would- cost him £20 a year to take the exercise necessary for his health. A fourth argued from analogy, which, though legitimate, is weak in application. He said toll-gates are being done away with in England ; some one else supplementing him with a remark that they were the work of barbarous ages, and that civilization had learned to do without them. This is a wrong view, in my opinion ; for on the toll-gates opening up as an institution in England, civilisation marched through, and for two centuries have been the means of giving to that country its attractive characteristics. Their work is done, therefore they are being abolished. You will observe, Sir, that I am in favor of tolls ; but disagree somewhat with the proposed mode of their initiation. I would suggest the following. - : , 1. Let there be two tolls ; not on the same road, but one at the entrance to the Ngaruroro Bridge ; and one over Tareha's Bridge, on the Awatoto road. These would catch all the traffic, while one only, as proposed, would be partial, inasmuch, as a traveller may go from extreme north to south of the province, and would have no tax to pay unless he came to town. Besides, a toll-gate at the bridge should be erected there, as of itself it is a legitimate object on which to reproduce its cost ; and this latter I conceive the Government are bound to do. The cost of the Ngaruroro Bridge has been defrayed from the loan ; and the purposes; for which the money would be allocated, were strongly advanced in favor of raising the loan, because they were of a reproductive character. 2. Let the schedule be altered; and mitigate an cvil — if evil it be — which we cannot do without. The punt prices are too high, even one way fare. If the Government will adhere to the principle of making the collections general,, revenue, let be endeavoured — supposing Mr! Buchanan's resolution, or its object, be lost in committee — to secure that the first funds arising from toll-gates be applied to the forming or repairing of the roads in their vicinity, commencing at Napier. 3. Let there be yearly tickets issued to ordinary resident travellers. By ordinary I mean those who travel frequently, walking, riding, or driving. In the latter case the names of owners of vehicles must be placed conspicuously upon them. Extraordinary, I should take to apply to those driving a flock of sheep, or a herd of cattle. This, I think, must in justice be affirmed in the principle of the bill, as an advantage which large and constant customers have over accidental ones in the ordinary transactions of trade ; and is never omitted from such acts as that which must become law, and which should be made to sit as evenly and lightly as possible. The pressure sought to be brought upon our town members is unjust. Three of them already stand committed to the principle of tolls ; and at something past the eleventh hour it is not to be expected that they will_ stultify themselves by abandoning their position. A modification of the stringency sought to be imposed is a duty which we have a right to expect of them. — I am, &c, C . ■ .;.W.