FORTROSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1340, 4 August 1877, Page 7

FORTROSE.

Very little satisfaction is as yet felt with ihe County system in this district. In fact, there appears to be a deal of hole and corner business about it, which makes it taste — ▼ell, just a little nasty. For instance, we find a body of six men, no doubt very good, aotiog as a Road Committee— by whom elected or appointed is a mystery. This bodf is not only acting independently of the wishes of the district in expending funds and causing roads, bridges, &c, to be made and erected where such is not so necessary M at other places, bat actually have the presumption to petition the General Assembly to nullify a petition signed by the whole district, the purport of which waa that the J|nn No*. 61 and 62, Otara, might be set apart forsetUementonthedeferredpaymentsystem, and which has already been sanctioned by the Waste Lands Board, and a trigonometrical survey made preparatory to a sectional survey, which would have been done at once bntfor the objection of the lessee. This land is now petitioned for by the mysterious six to be set apart for a harbour endowment fur Toi Tois. But this district is not disposed to allow this matter to pus unchallenged, as the inhabitants have an idea, and a very good one too, which is that Otara is for settlement, and settlement on the deferred payment principle — which means more population. Consequently, a counter petition is to be circulated, asking that Run No. 257 may be substituted for Otara for the purpose of endowment. This run is both large enough and good enough for the purpose, and if granted, would satisfy the wishes of the district; and there is little doubt of the district obtaining this, for the Toi Tois is becoming a vastly important district, notwithstanding we do not believe in having s non- elected body directing here and executing there, regardless of the opinions or wishes of the inhabitants and settlers.