ROAD REPAIR RATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 605, 25 November 1863, Page 5

ROAD REPAIR RATE.

('lo the Editor of the Daily Times.) -Sir,—A'thougb, it is, I believe, decided by the -...eeutive of this' Province to gather a road rate by means of toll gates to be.erecte I on the lines of road communicating with .the, mining and country disrricts. yet, as the subject is of much import-nice. I venture to trouble you with a few .remarks, I object to toll gates, considering Ihem the most expensive means'of'collecting a road-rate. .It".is obvious that the erecting gate aod tollhouse will be a considerable item without ia the least benefitting, the road, and 'Hat-to : provide the necessary attendance by night and day, with .working expenses for each gate will probably involve, an outlay of from L4OO to LSOO per annum, and bearing in miud that seven gates have to b' so provided, aud it is probable tbat a margin of profit on each will accrue to. the contractor*, and that such sum must first be obtained-from the traffic before oue sixpence can be paid into the. treasury for exp nditure on roads maintenance, I ask is the system of toll gates likely to work well ? Now, sir, I think all must' fuly "agree that those benefitting by good roads should^ bear a fair share of the expense. Firstly, I proposa.that, all landowners .or occupiers having a frontage to.a metalled road should be assessedara-smali-acreage rate ; for wlutbe;- Such, parties use the road little or much, property so situated is beyond doubt increased in value. Secondly, all vehicles carrying passengers or goods should be licensed. A direct tax,frpm .those usiag the road would_thus.be obtaiued with.little expense, and no. impedim.nt. to traffic; by a judicious arrangement necessitating- all to' prominently exhibit on their carriage their numbered" licence under a penally; also affording a reliable means of tracing the owner or driver of. any vehicle, in the; event of accident or any misehauce. r ,— '. ■. '.'.. '.',. J : -. ■: "'•'.'-', ■' 'lam, &c, ':--? ?, r;""; ''■■•■'--;;; ■''■:>:''■,'•'.^.'..-.J-'::?. E- B- p-