WOODVILLE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7303, 27 October 1885, Page 3

WOODVILLE.

(feom our own correspondent.) October 26th, 1885. The County Council election has resulted in the return of Me W. W. Oarlile with a majority of 38. The Friendly Societies intend celebrating their several anniversaries on the 7th of November by a monster tea and concert. The school not being available, Messrs Siau and M'Grath have kindly granted the use of their auctionroom for the purpose. As there 1b the probability of there being an excellent band, who will give their services on the occasion, there will doubtless be a large attendance should the weather prove favorable. A correspondent writing over the signature of " Anti-Mud " has thought fie to rush into print over the remarks in my previous letter re the action of the Town Board in charging, or suggesting a charge of, 25s per chain for footpaths in Grey-street. If " Anti-Mud " had given his brain time to cool, and had read the paragraph quietly and without bias, he would have noticed that I did not blame the Town Board for forming footpaths, but for suggesting a charge of 258 per chain for such forming, and without kerbing, which I point out means 25s per chain on each side of the street, making £2 10s per chain for a footpath without kerbing. It is too much for the ratepayers to have to pay, especially those who have been living In the township for the last night or nine years, and have < paid over £2 per annum for 34 perches of a section, and all because tbey have improved the seotion by erecting build ings and effecting other improvements, whereas there are property owners in Grey-street who have been paying about two or three shillings each year in rates for their unimproved sections, which will require just as much footpath as those who have been paying at a higher rate. " Anti-Mud " and such gentlemen will doubtless be glad to Bee footpaths and streets made, and will not objeot to pay what is asked by the Town Board, seeing that they have paid so little in the past. It is only fair that the property owners should pay a fair proportion towards footpaths, but if the footpaths in Grey-street (a street of easy grade and very few obstructions) is going to coat at the rate of 25s per chain fur each side of the street, and that without kerbing, I repeat that it is too much, "Anti-Mud" notwithstanding. It is only a short time ago that the Road Board made a charge for footpaths and kerbing at the rate of £2 10s per chain, and on accouut of objections being raised tbe matter was re-con-sidered and the charge reduced to 25*, the first oharge being in excess of the contract price. It therefore is imporant that property owners should setthat the few are not made to pay for improvements thatvrill benefit the man;, they not having to contribute to such. Another correspondent in the Herald has_ thought fit to find fault with the design of the addition to the Bchool. I consider it is a matter for congratulation to know that we have the much desired extra accommodation, without finding fault with the size of a pane of glass or a chimney pot. The fact of the panee of glass being smaller should be an advantage, seeiug that in the ovent of nutbeing broken it will cost considerably I ess than the larger ones. Moreover. I the fault-finding waß rather out of place I and uncalled for. The Mangatinoko Association havi only been »ll"trpd 5000 acres of land, instead of 10,000 as applied for. Ii I will therefore be necessary to reduce tbt membership by one-half, and it is suggested to strike off the liet the name*

of those who have been allotted land in other districts or associations, and determine by ballot who shall be members of the association.