THE COUNTY SYSTEM.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3235, 4 February 1879, Page 3

THE COUNTY SYSTEM.

To the Editor of the Thames Advertiser,)

Sib,—ls our County system a success or a failure P is a question that suggests itself to many miners at the present time. Our Thames County Council was launched upon the public under the most favorable auspices. Nursed by an indulgent Government, pampered by goldfield revenue, subsidies from native vote, with a host of other resources to draw upon to sueh an extent and so often, that to the casual observer it appeared they had only to open their mouths and cry " give" and a bounteous Government showered plenty upon them from all quarters. A Government that determinedly opposed the introduction of the County system, seeing the evils it would lead to, and .the recipients our happy County familybitter obstructionists to the advent of the Grey Government,—hence we may reasonably conclude 'tis from no innate love to the system or its quasi-administrators that it doles out so liberally|one instalment after another to be frittered away on works of doubtful utility and fancy salaries, Can it be true, then, as many say, that it isbeoauseour present County magnates are the greatest set of toadies under heaven that the serious business of the County may go to Hongkong as long as a Minister or Under-Secretary (not particular) are approaohable within a few days journey? Even the well-paid officials must needs run and join the galaxy—run, did I say ? not so long as private steamers are open for charter or horses to be hired at the public expense.

i Banquets, processions, &c,, are the order ? of the day; got up as spouting tournaments, where fulsome praise is disohargod it each other's heads with a reokless disregard of ruptured lungs and lacerated feelings; where high sounding words, signifying nothing, fall thick and fast as withered leaves in early winter. A day of reckoning is approaching. " Oh, my prophetic soul," could I but call to aid Brother Enoch, who doubtless could divine the time; but come it will. Popularity and political support, like things of merchandise, can be bought and sold, but, like tho articles of commerce, may be purchased too dearly, and wo iuay discover when too late that we have wasted our moans on " riotous living." We have this humiliating fact before us, that our County is hopelessly in debt, and «-e oannot tell where the money has gone. lam not aware of one single mile of road made and finished. True we have about 25 miles of tracks formed at a cost of about £50,000, or' £2000 per mile—a model result from a model County. Sir, I was no advocate for the introduction of County Oounoils, considering them unnecessary and a oentury before their time, and that Boad Boards that had worked well should have had extended powors given to them, but, as the choioe of the people determined otherwise, I acoepted the situation and endeavoured to look favourably on, determined to be unbiassed. I even lent s helping hand in realising the dreams of the people. We have been dreaming, and are now awakening to the fact that our substance is gone, and scarcely even a shadow left but a legacy in the shape of an overwhelming debt that will burden the ratepayers for years to come.—l am, &0., Mudlabk,