Waihemo County Council and the Land Board. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2374, 31 August 1899, Page 34

Waihemo County Council and the Land Board. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — In your issue of 3rd inst. appears a letter signed " Fair Play," in which ramblinginnuendo attacks are made on the ■administration of the Government — among other things, comment being made on a deadlock between the Waihemo County Council and the Otago Land Board. As I know something about this matter, allow me to show that " Fair f Play" has not put the position fairly. The deadlock lie hints at was brought about by the Waihemo County Council's own action, and in this way: One or two of the councillors', by various methods, have for years prevented a settler in the Waihemo district from getting a much-needed road into, a part of his property. At last some of the councillors, not behind the scenes, evidently seeing that something was wrong, got a resolution passed -that as many of the councillors as could find it convenient should visit the ground and judge for themselves whether the road in- dispute- should bo made or not, the council agreeing to abide by their report. Accordingly five of them visited the place, and in due course reported to their council in favour of having the road made f <* requested ; but the obstructionists were not going to have their little game spoiled in this way, so by a side move they got a catch motion carried to the effect that the Land Board be requested to make the road, and there tho matter stands. And yet " Fair Play " is nowtrying to throw dust in the eyes of the public by endeavouring to blame the Minister for Landa for what he knows full well the county council is entirely responsible for. So much for "Fair Play's" sense of fair dealing. — I am, etc., OBSERVER. Palmerston, August 14. •