THE PROPOSED LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10099, 7 April 1896, Page 3

THE PROPOSED LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Silt,-The aim of every Agricultural Society is professedly by every available means to further the interests of those connected with the cultivation of the land—at the same time to avoid if possible entering into any political or party questions. This is praiseworthy up to a certain point, but it seems that the collective interests of the settler are so linked to the Government policy of the day, that to make a move in any direction towards improving the position he must touch politics in some form. The energy oi the different Farmers' Associations has hitherto been spent in getting up a successful agricultural show, but are there not as important points to be carried as this, which can only be so carried by a more perfect organisation of the several societies than at present exists? and,if the same amount of force be expended on these, and quito as weighty concerns, it is possible that some improvement may bo effected—at least it is worth the attempt. Suppose we take question No. I—our roads. Is there one more pressing for immediate consideration? At the coming session a Local Government Bill is promised to remedy the imperfections of tho present County Councils. Now is the time for the Amalgamated Agricultural Associations to speak in unison, and in an unhesitating manner, so as to give our representatives the opinion of the majority, to take with them on returning to Wellington. Almost everyone will admit (as far as the North is concerned) that after a fair trial the County Council is a financial failure. The machinery is altogether too expensive for the amount of funds to grind out. If we look at the County Council from a commercial point of view, it is evident the system is the royal road to bankruptcy. The heavy expenses entailed by a number of councillors having to travel long distances to a given centre, for the purpose of directing the outlay of comparatively small sums, compare unfavourably with some mercantile houses where a man of ordinary business capacity, with an assistant, will often manipulate a capital of from £5000 to £6000 per annum, made up from as small items as the rates, which totalled average about £1500 or £'3XX) per annum. It is quite clear that the County Council is not run on commercial lines. Then, again, what a fallacious proceeding it is to raise funds for the purpose of repairing roads and give the same away in charity. It is positively painful to see the waste of road metal (provided mostly by Government grants) caused by insufficiency of funds wherewith to keep up the blinding, in many cases the loose metal filling up the water-tables and ditches bordering the road. There are few instances where the County Councils can provide funds to form any extent of new road, the money mostly has to come from the general revenue. Now, some people that may happen to peruse this will say, what is the use of talking of things we know well 1 Can it be remedied by any

other schema of administering the road rates? I beg to be allowed to offer as a suggestion to those interested that the Counties Act be repealed; that the Government, through its district engineer, with his clerk, have the control of the main roads that the Road Boards supervise the byroads only, as heretofore; that when a road fronting a landholder's property is formed, that he keeps his apportioned part in passable repair at his own expense: that when a road is metalled, the landholder to keep in thorough repair; that he keep all teetrees, etc, cut the full width of the road; That if the landowner fails to effect all repairs, the engineer, etc, be empowered to have the work dono at the owner's expense; That a certain per centage taken from the rates would repay the landowner for the time spent on the road work. In the case of such a scheme being given a trial, the majority of fanners would then uo doubt take as much interest in keeping in good order the apportioned part of road frontage as much as other parts of the property. .But it is not for me to occupy space in your valuable paper with minor details, but simply give the outline of a not by any means impracticable nor impossible scheme.— am, etc., J no. Lewis Clarke. Maungakaramea, April 3,1596.