FAIR PLAY FOR AROWHENUA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1434, 28 November 1885, Page 2

FAIR PLAY FOR AROWHENUA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l sim right glad that we have the Thmuka Leader, and an Editor of integrity—who will not spare time or labor in the cause of right against might—and that we can, therefore, make known to the public what we could not otherwise, Mr Editor, I Jive in the township of Arowhenua, which the accomplished and highly-educated call “ Sod Town.” Now, Mr Editor, there are twelve miles of roads in this township, and over nine miles of streets ; and we have a Road Board Office, and a Board of—l will out of courtesy say—worthy members. The Board and office have been in existence for ten years, and, Mr Editor,this energetic Board have actually formed two miles of streets and shingled nearly one mile this ten years. Mr Editor, I cannot say what amount of thanks or praise is due to the present or past members of the Temuka Road Board—l will leave that for the public to decide, I think I hear someone say, “ Quite right; we should not be rated to make your property of more value.” I would pay to such a one, I believe there ■is 25 per cent, to come from the Land Board to make the roiids with. By-the-bye, Mr Editor, I should have been very pleased to hare had'a peep into the blue book to see how the money was accounted for that the Land Board sent down last after the boobs were audited. Now, Mr Editor, wo have two shingle reserves in this township, for the town alone : that is, six miles each. To show that they are for the town, there is, or was, one at the east end of the town to shingle Milford road. Now, Mr Editor, comes the tug of war. From those shingle reserves which are set aside for the town there is one-third gone—not where it ought to. There is a town close by ; but be easy, Mr Editor, I am not going to speak of the district. Now, I detest the district; I would much rather say borough, it sound* so much more noble. Now, this Terauka, might have three miles of roads in it and any amount of shingle, but there is not one yard left or put aside for shingle, Now, I would ask, Are our members doing justice to the town of Arowhenua, or those that live in it, by letting the shingle, and soil be carted on to that township, even it paid for ? for every member must know that the Board had to pay for every yard on the rise where they had none of there own. I think not one yard should leave the township until all those streets are formed and shingled. If our members do not feel able to do justice to the people they represent, it would be honorable for them to admit it and resign, and let some fresh members try their hands at it to see if they can do the people justice, Mr Editor, it is supposed that when members arc duly elected the public should be contented w.ith what they do or decide on. With that I must be content, but in some instances the public have' to abide by the decision of one man, who is not elected, nor even is he a ratepayer. In many instances it is left to the Overseer to report on, and his report is final—and the ratepayers are at his mercy. Is that fair play ?—I am, etc., G, Edgeler, A.L.O.F.P. Temuka, November 26th, 1885. [We feel deeply grateful to Mr Edgeler for his good opinion of us. We have suspected all along that there was something wrong with the Road Board, but could not make out what it was. We see it now—What is wrong is the Overseer! —The Editor.]