LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 327, 19 December 1855, Page 7

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Christchurch.—ln pursuance of the notice given by the deputation which wailed upon hU Honor the Superintendent in reference to tbe state ofthe roads, a meeting was held at the Golden Fleece on Tuesday evening last, to receive tbe report of the deputation. Mr. Thos. Wilkinson iv ihe chair. Mr. Wilkinson stated tbe nature of the explanation they had received from His Honor. He had submitted to them a statement of accounts made up to the26th November, by which it appeared that there had been a much larger sum expended than he was at all aware of. The statement was generally satisfactory. There was no misapplication of the provincial funds, but certain demands had been made upon their revenue which were not anticipated at the commencement of the financial year. He would especially allude to the payment of the interest on the debentures issued in satisfaction ofthe purchase of the Cuuterbu-y Association's property ; this amounted, he believed, to about £1700, but be need not go through thCse hems. His Honor had kindly consented to attend, and would give that explanation more clearly himself. Before lv sat down he wished to make one allusion to tbe circumstances of their last meeting. It bad been said that il was convened for purely political purposes. He wished to give this statement ihe most direct contradiction. He did not know who the parlies were that had said so, but whoever they were they ought to have known better. Ii was attaining at a point indeed, to say that they were to he debarred 'from holding public meetings upon any subject of importance to them merely because an election coolest was going on. That cause was indeed weak that required such bolstering up. His Honor said before he alluded to the subject for which they were called together, he desired lo make another observation or two in justification of his piesence there that evening. It bad been said that the Superintendent ought not to attend public meetings: to that opinion he altogether dissented ; so long as there continued to exist lhat harmony and kindly feeling which had hitherto distinguished this settlement' from some of its neighbours, he should at all times be willing to take part in their meetings, particularly if, as in this case, he w::s invited to do so. The only occasion when he could not be present, would he when party spirit ran high, and rancorous feeling was engendered ; then he agreed that it would be as improper for him as it would be for the Governor to attend. His actions as a public officer were of course open m criticism, and he fully admitted tbe propriety of meeting.1 * such as these to give expression to public opinion when the occasion w.is cailed for. Tlie resolution which had been handed to him was, he thought, a mistake; the meeting had proceeded* to express a opinion before they had enquired iuto the facts. He did not wish to deprecate opposition, but opposition to be reasonable should be based upon enquiry first, and condemnation afterwards. Here the case was reversed. They had put the can before the hoiv-e. He bad explained to the deputation that there was a wrong impression about the Government not doing all it could iv reference to ihe roads. Tbe fact was » certain sum of money was voted for ihe service of the financial year, and that money had been really spent rather quicker than it should have been if the works were spread over that period. There had been a sum of aboul £10.000 voted : about £8,000 of that was spent or contracted for. There were, of course, some things they bad not done, for these, however, he w,is prepared to give a reason. His"! Honor then went through the list of works, commenting briefly upon each. He proceeded to say lhat experience had taught him that ihe public works could only be carried

out advantageously during ihe summer months, j In the winter ami wet season, the cost wa« ma- ] terialiy enhanced by ihe fact thai a great porti >n | of the roads bad to be formed upon swampy land.andfsome lands could nol be drained except during the sunnier. Generally they endeavour ed to make llieir works keep puce with the state of their finance, but il was a mistake to suppose that the money voted by the Council was in tbe public chest when voted ; il was voted always in anticipation aud upon estimates which the Executive Government submitted to them at tbe end of September. There appeared to have been a balance in their treasury of £0,000 and upwards, but out uf that sum they bad to provide for existing contracts and for the payment of the interest upon the Government debentures on account of tbe Canterbury Association. This latter sum would be ultimately repaid, but had to be provided for in advance, and it was essential that they should tnaiut&in their character in England. He would lay these accounts upon the table for the examination of ail those who were interested in diem ; and be believed they would admit that ihe Government had done all it could- It was undeniable that tbe greatest inconvenience had arisen in several parts iv consequeuce of tbe slate of the roads; the subject had been one of constaut-thought to them. In each session of the Council bills had been submitted on the subject, but they bad been thrown out because of the idea of taxation. Bm some kind of organization they must have, and the best he thought was that which was known in Euglaud as {i waywardens," to act in couce'rt with the engineer He was not aware of any direct taxation having been proposed. It was, however, desirable to give to local districts a power to rale themselves. If the roads were needed, and they felt the necessity for it, they would meet and do so; but if nol, then equally they need nol do so. There were instances ofthe kind already where the people bad voted £ 100 on I consideration of the Government finding a like ] sum, they bad found it'worth while to do so, i rather than have their drays stuck fast for the j day. What local tax could they impose that j would equal that? It was certain they could not go on any longer iv their present condition, unless the Provincial Eugineer was assisted iv hi» labours. His time was monopolised by odd jobs, which any ordinary person could just as well 'superintend. He was glad the meeting had been called. As regarded the reports of the meeting being called for political purposes, he of cour>e had no knowledge of it, nor did he share that opinion. AH public questions, gained by public discus-don, so long as they were conducted in a proper spirit. In conclusion, he desired to infoim the meeting- that as His Excellency tbe Governor bad determined upon carrying oul the old arrangements in reference to the division of the Provincial Revenues, and had, in accordance with that determination, ordered the repayment of certain sums to the Province, they were now in a condition to proceed at once with these works, iv accordance with the votes of the Council, and be imped that by the end of the financial year ihey would be completed. Mr. "ooh<on being absent, on business of importance, His Honor expressed himself ready to answer any questions the meeting desired io put to biin. Mr. Compton asked if it was intended to met.-il tiie Ft-rry roan? His Honor s-aid ti ere was no money voted for this purpose but as tiie Council would meet early, in March, there would be time lo do this before the im-xi season* crop. Mr. Wilkinson said he iell hound to explain, in consequence of His Honor's allusion to the retnhcion, the reasons why these meetings had been called They had great cause to complain of the stale of their road, -.aui naturally enough applied to the Provincial Engineer on' the Mtb-jc-cl, to know why ihe ioieniioiis of the Council were not carried out. His answ.-r was at first that there' was mn sufficient iai><mr to be got; next, that they were waiting for culverts; and lastly, that ihe money was ail gone. They had q-iiedy abided by his* staieuic-.us umil they heard the ias!. and then they thought it wj.s lime to iusiitnttf soturi investigation into the matter. Had they been told of these pavmeuts for tiie imes'esi ujimi the debenture*}, aim other mailers, liiey mi_ii< hate been haiisficd ,sa far as regarded ihe appropriation of the money, but nut in so far as the departure from the rotes of the Council ivaa concerned. Ihe meeting had cailed fuith an expluuatiou on this subject, which he believed they were generally satisfied nidi.

Mr. Thomson asked if it war intended to take any steps lo repair the north road? He was aware the money voted was expended, but the engineer bad reported that this road would require many £l 00's; it was in a stale perfectly inadequate to the wants of the plane. His Honor said that rested with the Council. He could only spend the money voted. If he undertook works on his own responsibility, and the Council disapproved of his act, he would have to pay the amount himself. The only case in which be was justified in doing so, was the extreme one of the actual stoppage ofthe communication. Mr. Thomson replied that as the Council did not meet (ill March, and as His Honor had said the present occasion was lhat best fitted for the construction of works, as well on account of economy as convenience, all he wished to know -as, whether they were to wait another year for the formation of the road, particularly as it was the most important in the Province. His Honoh said they were nil of iirportance, but it w.is a question of degree. One thought this road most important, another thought the Lincoln road, and another the metalling of the Ferry road. He should be placing himself in a position of great difficulty if he constituted himself the judge in this matter. Mr. Shand asked for explanation in reference to the financial statement, which his Honor furnished. Mr. Ollivier said that as be bad formed one of the deputation to wait upon his Honor on ibis subject, he was bound to state that upon the whole he was satisfied with tbe explanation that had been given. He saw no reason, however, to change his opinion as to the necessity for some controlling power over the votes of the Council for public works. His impression, in reference to the interest for the debentures was, that the Government had stated at the time that the amount would he met hy the rents accruing from the property. He believed a diffeient result would have been come to, bad the Council understood or supposed that the Public Works were to be checked by it. Mr. Ollivier proceeded to allude to other topics which arose out of the hist meeting, hut aslthey were not before the public it is unnecessaryfanher to allude to them. Mr. Lean asked what was to be done with the Rakaia Ferry? A great deal had been said about its difficulties, hut he could see none which ordinary civil engineer ability could not overcome. He believed the Ferry could be laid down for the money voted, and tlieie were men willing to do it. Mr. Lean then drew intention to the road under the hills. It had been objected to because it was said it led to nowhere ; whereas, the fact really was, it was the only road by which stock couid be brought to market for sale. Few persons chose to resort to the Ferry, because of the expense of ferryage. The road was impassable, nv.d was indeed "at hest only a trespass road. He expected every day to see it blocked up by a fence. He knew bow he came, but he could not say at any time whether he could return by the same route. Ii nasa source of cotnpiaiiit that the road was d.-itigflrous.—no, he would not use the word it «a~ hardly dangerous, beeau-e there were but few who were bold enough to venture upon it. ; His friend. Mr. Hall, knew the road he spoke of; j he believed he had lost r fjily there. The road could be constructe.: and made passable for something like £50, and that was f.ir mote desirable than &i' construction of the new road, which involved also an expensive bridge. His Honor explained that the Feny across the Rakaia was under their consideration. Before anything was done, he purposed goin»there with Mr. Dobson to'look at the spot! Several appointments had been made for this purpose, but the great demands upon the engineer's time had interfered lo prevent their being kept. As regarded a road under the hills, it, like others,he hoped to complete before the end of the financial year. His Honor explained at some j length the circumstances which led to the delay on this road. Mr C. PjiitciVAi. said be was deenlv interested in the state of ihe North R.,aii, a ml'regretted that the extdaiiaiioii he had heard was unsatisfactory. Some portions of that road were but 8 feel wid-- aud full of holes. You mi-dii as well iry, r.ihi Mr. Perceval, to dodge drops of ram, as try lo dodge those holes. He had filled up several of iheni himself, but like a mire in a man's body, if you stopped lln.-m in one place ! liicy only broke out in auuiher. Something

must be done, or eoniinuniofuion with the North Country would he cut off. He should move therefore — '* That it is.the opinion of this meeting that His Honor should be requested to call the Provincial Council together iminediiiUly in order to consider the state of the public rouds and works." Mr. Compton seconded ihe resolution. His Honor then rose to leave, when n vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Shand, and seconded by Mr Dunnage, for the explanation he had given them, which was duly ackuowledged. Mr. Shand then proposed tbe following resolution :—"That this meeting is further of opj. nion t.iat a memorial should be addressed to the Provincial Council, praying them to take such steps as will lead to such an alteration in the executive arrangements of this Province, as will retain in ihe hands of the Council control over all votes for tbe furlherance of the public works of the Province. Mr. Shand explained that the object was to establish a central hoard to give that assistance which His Honor had said was required by the ProviuciarEugineei assistance which should proceed from he^Pr* quarters. It was following the model of the old country, where nil public or corporate bodies formed themselves into boards for carrying out their several objects. Mr. Ollivieu seconded the resolution at some length. The resolution elicited a very great deal of discussion, in which Messrs. Lean, Hall, Hichens, Header, Packer, and Bishop, took part. The substance of the opposition to it was lhat tbe resolution involved a change of 100 large a character to be so hastily disposed of. and as there had been no previous intimation of such a discussion being brought forward, greater time should be allowed for its consideration. The chairman, however, reminded the meeting thai the original advertisement justified the resolution. That advertisement stated their object to he" to consider the state of the roads, and fo adopt such ulterior measures as might he deemed necessary." With this before him, he*felt be could not interfere with the discussion. Ultimately the resolution was withdrawn, and the meeting, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, separated.