LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 927, 21 March 1868, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. Sir, — I see that the toll-gate is progressing, and that a house for the keeper is •also being built. Is ifc not, Sir, passing strange that all the extensive works now about to be commenced are as far removed as possible from the toll-gate. Roadmaking is going on at Waipukurau and elsewhere on the Te Aute road, bufc at the only place in the province wheijp a rate is to be levied for toll purposes, no expenditure seems to be contemplated — in fact, the Government would seem to think that no road is wanted there at all. Is ifc conceivable that thousands are to be spent upon a road which has already had nearly £40,000 sunk in it, and that the only road to be taxed is one in a state of nature. This winter, communication with the Meaneo will be entirely cufc off, or nearly so, for want of roads, and yet every poor settler in that locality will have to pay at least his shilling a day for using roads, the greater part of which are worse than in a state of -nature; while up-country settlers will have the run of 40 or 50 miles of made road without paying a cent. The principle laid down by the Government would seem to be that the tolls shall be first taken, and that, afterwards, the roads for which toll is levied, are to be made. Supposing this to be a right prin- • ciple, how is it that the toll-gate was not erected immediately after the Act was assented to," so as to have secured the revenue of the wool season. Had ifc been so, five or six hundred pounds would have been in hand by this time. This is an excellent illustration of the modus operandi of our present Government ; but ifc is an instance added to many of gross injustice to the town and to the less influential small settlers. The erection of the toll§ate would seem to have been purposely eferred till the traffic of the wool season was completely over : and ifc is now being put up at the beginning of winter, without regard to the interest, or ability to pay, of the Meanee or other small settlers. Well, the present Government, — which seems to be unanimous in protecting one class at the "expense of all others — has had its day. The time, it is hoped," is not far distant when the voice of the people will make itself heard, and class legislation be no longer allowed. — I am, - &c, A Town Electob.