LEPPER ROAD PETITION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9087, 20 May 1891, Page 3

LEPPER ROAD PETITION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—ln an article of May 9th you pointed out that we are overgoverned in local affairs, which is only too true; but you also stated that most of the members of local bodies received travelling expenses. Allow me to point out that tbe members of the various Road Boards, instead of being paid for the service they, render to their fellow ratepayers; receive- only abuse, and are often slandered in a most barefaced manner. Why should this be so, may be asked ? I have thought over the quesdon for years, and the only conclusion I can come to is this: In a new country like New Zealand a great many different kinds of characters are to' be found. A large proportion of our ratepayers had no political rights previous to landing in the colony, and it has taken years with some to expand their stunted reasoning faculties sufficiently to appreciate services rendered them by their fellow ratepayers. Aa soon, however, as they arrive they have political rights forced npon them, and therefore that they should misuse them is only natural. Bnt there is another class of malcontents who seem to find pleasure in making a Road Board member's life bitter. These latter class cannot be excused on the plea of ignorance, but their depraved natures delight in making untruthful statements, and find a fiendish pleasure in posing before their dupes as mtn who will see things right or else die in the attempt. I shall now proceed to show what cause there is for the foregoing remarks. In your issue of May 16th you published a letter by "One of tbe- Signers," complaining about some formation contract on the Lepper Road. The work has- been passed by the Moa Road Board's overseer, a man of considerable experience in bush road^ work, as carried out" according to specification and to his satisfaction, and the* Board paid the money. That the Moa Road Board took very little notice of the petition sent hy "O Je of the Signers," is a fact. First, it was very badly written ; secondly, the work being satisfactorily carried out the petition was of no use. Ihereby enclose the said petition, and if you will publish it it may save the Board being subjected to another of the kind. Now for the other class of malcontent ratepayers. Some time ago. a loan was raised by the Moa Road Board to metal a portion of the Junction Road eust of Inglewood, a member of the Board (Mr Brownlow Horrocks) being the mover of the scheme. The Board went through all the forus laid down in the " -orovernment Loan to Local Bodies Act," and the ratepayers by a^ large majority accepted it, consequently proving that Mr B. Horrocks had served the ratepayers well on the Board. Bnt no; a certain ratepayer, who says he is tbe son of a brilliant and dashing officer, tried through false and misleading statements to miscarry tbe proposal. Of course he failed; and I daresay will not annoy the Board again. These are only two instances of recent date, but I could supply them by the score. At almost every meeting or the Board rash and ill-considered petitions, requests, andobjections are made by ratepayers, and in refusing to agree to these absurdities the members get entitled to their travelling expenses, which are generally paid in abuse and slander. , Hoping you will forgive me for tres* passing so much on your valuable space, — I am, &c, v, Habry. Petebs. Glen Eats, May 18,1891.