KARORI-MAKARA SEPARATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5678, 11 June 1879, Page 3

KARORI-MAKARA SEPARATION.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —Tn reference to a paragraph in your issue of the 3rd instant on the above subject, allow me to state that this movement lias nothing to do with the affairs of the Hutt County Council, but probably may lead to it. At present the movement is confined to soundings and private conferences ; but like a smothered fire is sure to break out with redoubled force when the fitting time has come, which cannot now be long delayed. The electors of this portion of the Wellington Country District consider, without impugning either the integrity or efficiency of their member, that its interest has been neglected in Parliament. You are doubtless aware that since the inauguration of the Public Works policy there has been, so to speak, a regular scramble among the different constituencies for a share of the expenditure. For many reasons we could not expect to participate in the scramble for railways ; we did expect, nevertheless, that we would not be entirely left out in the cold, there being numerous public works in the district left unfinished since the old provincial days, which, with a little persuasion from a member, having interests in common with us, may be performed with Government grants. Take as an instance the Polhill Gully-road, delayed for want of funds until the Wellington Corporation obtained the land, and returned a cold Non possumus; the diversion of the Karori-road, which it is impossible for the local body to carry out for want of funds ; the Parkvale-road, which would bring Makara two miles nearer Wellington, with a level road to boot ; the Ohariu-road, connecting North Makara with the Ohariu Valley and the West Coast, without making a detour of twenty miles. All these might have been done during the past if Karori was represented as the electors consider they should be. Any person reading Hansard year after year must see that similar works were undertaken elsewhere. There are many in the district who believe that the West Coast line of railway should be taken along the Karori, Makara, and Ohariu Valleys, and would be if properly represented to the Government.

As to separating from the Hutt County Council, I quite agree with you that it would be better to expend the money which would be spent in keeping officers, &c., in making roads and bridges, but there is still another aspect to be looked at—What if the money for the roads and bridges be not given, or the roads and bridges left unformed ? Out of a subsidy which ought to amount to nearly £IOOO the local body received £4OO, leaving a deficit of £6OO for our portion of expenses, charitable and county. I will not vouch for the accuracy of these figures, bnt basing my knowledge on “information received" I hardly think they are far out. These figures cover a period of three years, so that we lose £2OO a year in expenses already. If you will, with your usual kindness, give insertion to this, I will on some future occasion give you my own opinions on the hospital and charitable aid questions, as these are the opinions now circulating among the ratepayers of this district.—l am, &c., Eusticus. P.S.—Although the latter part of this letter may seem to have no connection with the former, it will recall to mind some incidences of the canvassing addresses of the candidates at the last election, in which the question of subsidies, special and general, were jumbled together. For obvious reasons I have refrained from considering the question on political grounds, our first count in the indictment being that we are not Parliamentarily represented.