RE WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL AND RATEPAYERS' MEETING AT HENDERSON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6821, 27 September 1883, Page 6

RE WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL AND RATEPAYERS' MEETING AT HENDERSON.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —The Chairman of the County Council stated, "That the cry had been made that rates raised in outlying districts had been spent at the North Shore." The cry is that special grants or subsidies have been spent at Lake Takapana. If anyone doubts it let bim visjt "The .Lake." We maintain that a comparison between their roads and our roads ifi a reflection upon any form of Government. The Chairman admits the Licensing Act to be most mischievous in its operations in outlying distich. Why was this not pointed out by the Chairman before our funds were squandered? We are not properly represented. The Chairman says, "Look.at the main roads. You caiinot drive within ten miles of Auckland oq the Great North Road without ri>k of life and limb." This statement is only too true. The Council has done nothing for three years. What has become the funds of the county ? The funds have not been expended on our main roads on this side Waitemata. The roads are a disgrace to any county or anj Government. Mr. Mays' statement that the Road Boards would be in a worse plight if severed from the county is gratuitous. We cannot be worse than at present. Were the county hung up to-morrow, what wonld follow ? The grants and subsidies, would he distributed pro rata to the various ridings or Road Boards direct. There would not be the same amount of i.)lage,'nor would our paltry subsidies be years intransitii as under the pr»senl; system. Toe Chairman's statement that 99 percent, of thel £100,000 voted under the Roads and Bridges Act last year was secured by the South, is a reflection on the county. Had the County of, Waitemata applied for more, it ,-would in air probability have secured more, and our Southern friends leas. When the Chairman " modestly" applied for £50GO, ■it isiwell known that this is the largest sum £hat would be: granted to any county under these Acts.; When. Manawatu applied, the Act was somewhat altered. I would suggest, in:the interests 'of-'all ratepayers in the Oounty of jWaitemata, that an annual stateIme'ht'i' be laid before the different ridings, .showing all -grants; subsidies, and receipts, fromwhateyer .soii'rcej; and ...where and how they-haver ",to be duly .audited by the; Provincial Auditor." Many. ■pi the outlying settlements have had bullock ;tracbs:..foisted ."bn ,them-by these..various Road...Board Acts, -with,.the strictest,injunctions., for ;:their': : " maintenance." "We cannot make roads..:by.. Acte of. Parliament" :any...more than; by-."fair promises." The. funds ibeirig (withheld, all the outlying districts have: : ,t6;;show : in favour of the.county. system, 'up to 'the; present is—promises oY future economy, "and promises of future aid. The.pastiisa'deadTetter,—l am, &c, ■" :::.;. ■'., ■.':/ .'.,:";■., ''::"■:'■ : '' n: *$" • ■ Settler. "