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Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 94, 2 March 1866, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMARU HERALD. Sir, — May I request you to publish the following" extracts for the information of the Ratepa}"crs of this district. Extract from circular from Public Works Office, rlnterl February 22, and sig-ned by Mr. John Hall : — " The amount ordered to he disbursed for the service of your district is £1500, and a portion of this sum, amounting 1 to £374 15s 3d, having- already been received by your Board since the Ist July, there remains to be paid, when the state of Provincial Treasury will admit of it, the sum of £1125 4s od." " I am instructed, however, to inform you that the proceeds of Land sales have fallen off during* the present year to such an extent that the Government is unable to make any further payments at the present time ; and as the periods at which such payments will be made must be uncertain, I am to request that you will not enter into any pecuniary engagements on the strength of anticipated receipts from the Provincial Treasurer. " In connection with this subject, I am desired to call your i. fention to the resolution recently passed by the Provincial . Council m reference to the future grants to the several Hoad Boards, and from which you will perceive that the amount of these grants will depend m a great measure upon the extent to which the Boards exert themselves to provide from locnl resources the maintenance and repair of roads within their several districts. Resolution of the Provincial Council, January 4th 1860 :— Resolved "That m the opinion of this Council it is inexpedient that after the 30th of June 18GG, there should be paid to any Road Board out of the general revenues of the Province m an}- financial year any sum or sums of money exceeding- twice the amount which may have been actually collected by such Board on account of District Rates m the then proceeding- financial year, unless a rate cf one shilling- m the pound shall have been so collected. That no salaries to Surveyors, Engineers, Clerks, or other officers of Road Boards should be paid out of sums paid to such Board out of the general revenue of the Province." In accordance with a resolution of the Levels Board, February 3rd, I applied to the Secretary for Public Works requesting" " That the sum of £300 be forwarded as early as possible, as the requirements of the district are extremely urg-ent, and the main road greatly needs repairs, and is becoming 1 dangerous to traffic." In his reply, dated February 14th, the Assistant Secretary for Public Works, expresses his regret that "Since the despatch of the circular from this department, dated the 12nd instant, no more favourable circumstances have transpired to induce any departure by the -Provincial Government from the course therein laid down."

I must not trespnss farther. The correspondence speaks for itself. I would ot\y

remark that the £374 15s 3d deducted from this year's grant consists of £100, the balance of last year's grant of £1200, and a special grant of £274 15s 3d for repairs for the Otipua Creek Bridge, and I cannot understand on what plea the amount should be deducted from the present year's grant. I regret that I shall be compelled to be absent from the meeting of the sth March, and beg* to tender you my thanks for' enabling me to place the present position of affairs before the Ratepayers. I am, etc., Ph. Bouverie Luxmoore, Chairman Levels Road Board.