THE SUSPENSION OF THE COUNTIES ACT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2930, 13 February 1884, Page 3

THE SUSPENSION OF THE COUNTIES ACT.

TO THE JiBITOB OF THE TIMABU HBBALD. Hib,—My wordß are coming true, that the rfttepajers will regret the hasty Btep they liaie takori m nignine the politi hi to the Government to suspend the Act io this county. It was only la»t wcok that three ratepayers cucne to my place und said they now saw tlieir mistake m signing the petition, and that thoy would readily sign any other petition to say the}' had mado a mistalte, and that they wished con that the subject had been more fully explained before they signed, as they wish to keep the Act m force as at present. The ratepayers have been inforned tlie.l under the Roads and Bridget) Act money will be forthcoming for keeping the roads aad Bridges m repair. But whut do we find P The Ohuirtaau of the Ashburlon County Council stated at the last meeting, held on Friday, the Bih inst., that £430 on oooount of main roads wus available out of the Council's application for £2861) 13s id under the Roads and Bridges Conotruotioo Act, on the requirements of tbo Act being complied with. Tbe Southland County Council madii application for £8600 under that Act. They have just been informed that they will reoeive £675 only. The Geratdine County Council made, I ihink, application for £2500 for repnirß and extension of the Opihi bridge ; it has not transpired lrhnt they will receive. I fear we ore relying on a broken reed m depending solely on great asjistnrce for the repair of ou? bridges and maintenance of main roaii«, from the Roadß and Bridges Act, What we really want is. to keep the Counties Ant m force as at presont, and for all Councillors to work with a will for the advancement of the great works tbst are required m tho County, and for no jealousy to to exist between one part of tho County and Another. Ratepayers are beginning to sea that it ii only the County Council that hate tbe power to carry out water-races from one end of tbe County to the other. It ie only the County that can nmintain and build the bridges; if Road Boards think they can go on building bridges, their funds for maintnining xoadu will be toon txtisusted. Water rines to water our dry pluinß have proved bo far a grout success. My wiiter-roeo of about two miles only cost me lor tho land it has watered Is 7id an acre. A water raoe on tho Ashburtoo plain three miles Jong, fiftfeu inches wide and eight inches deep only cost ono shilling a chain, or £4 a mile. What farmer would not. gladly welcome a t-ti'eam of water through all his paddocks m preference to a well or i» wind-pump, which are always getting out of repair. Ratepayers must also remember th»t no rates need be i-Lruck over the whole County for these waterraces; il ie only Ibo land that reaps a benefit from tho water that has to pay for it. If any ratepayer who lias signed tho petition to sunpen'l tho Act rogrnta his action, lie has only to request bis name to be struck off the list, or get up another petition requesting GoTurament to take no action m the matlor. I am, ito., C. G. Tbipp. Orari Gorge, Feb. llth, 1884.