The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1939. Hokiangas Difficulties

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1939, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1939. Hokiangas Difficulties

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper

fl 7 THEN the Government some months ago made, a grant ot W/ £IOOO to assist the Hokianga County Council, the W opinion we expressed, that this sum would not go very far, has unfortunately turned out to be correct. To-day the county is again in such difficulties that a number ot its start have had to" be put off, including a foreman, .two grader drivers, and two gangers, while three graders, two trucks and three tractors are being laid up. . , T _ „ . . The result, as the County Engineer, Mr L. Donnelley, points out,.is that rapid deterioration of the county roads must follow, for’the staff and gear now on the job are not nearly sufficient to keep them in good order. The situation would perhaps be more acceptable to Hokianga ratepayers if it were their own fault, or the result of inefficient administration, but no one can say that that is the case. The county’s difficulties have arisen from circumstances entirely beyond its control. First of all it is one of those counties which contain a very large proportion of native land and State reserves on which no rates are collectable, while to aggravate its problems it has suffered heavily in floods, and the heavy repair hills have had a most serious effect upon its finances. In view of these facts, the Government’s grant of £looo.was altogether inadequate, and could only defer the evil day when county services would have to be curtailed. At the time when the grant was made, two Government officers made a thorough examination of the county’s position, and it is hard to believe that they would have recommended such a paltry grant as adequate to meet the situation. t . If the Government does not propose to give any further assistance, the settlers should consider whether it might not pay them better, distasteful though such a course would be, to default in the county’s obligations, thereby forcing the Government to appoint a commissioner and accept some sort of responsibility. There is no point in the settlers burdening themselves, and endeavouring to struggle along, against overwhelming handicaps, unless there is some prospect of an improvement in the position.