NORTHCOTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6148, 1 August 1881, Page 5

NORTHCOTE.

Fortunately for this district, which contains only about one mile of metalled road, the rainfall up to the present time has been but moderate, otherwise the roads would have been impassable. As it is, it is not only unpleasant, but actually dangerous travelling in spring vehicles after dark, owing to the depth and frequency of the ruts. The district labours under two great disadvantages—the small amount of rates collected, and the great expense of obtaining metal'for the roads, the district being entirely destitute of it; and the former must be increased, or the latter greatly reduced, before any very marked improvement will be observed in the roads. Owing to the dissatisfaction given by the late Board, the annual meeting of the ratepayers was more numerously attended than any previous one, and, it must be confessed, more noisy. Sir. George Staines, a non-resident ratepayer, in one of his characteristic speeches, not only lauded the exertions of the late Board, but also proposed their re-election, with the exception of the veteran Hawkins, Mr. T. Forgham. being inserted in his stead. But the!ex-champion had previously committed' a great blunder by proposing the adoption of the report before it was read, which caused compliments to be lavished upon him of a not very complimentary character. With all the exertions of Mr. George Staines and his party to prevent it, Mr. H. J. Hawkins was again elected, together with three of his supporters, the only opponent elected being Mr. W. F. Hammond, who obtained the least votes of the five, the Rev. Mr. McCallum being still lower on the scale. It is to bo hoped the present trustees will endeavour to keep the main road in passable order, instead of squandering money in clearing roads down precipices that can never be utilised unless at an enormous expense, as was done by their predecessors. Orchard-planting is progressing favourably, and the district will doubtless maintain its past fame for the production of beautiful and highly-flavoured fruit. Land, both cultivated and uncultivated, is rapidly increasing in value; and it only requires good roads and more frequent communication with the city to make this the favourite, as it is by nature, the most beautiful suburb of Auckland.—[A Correspondent.]