LOCAL POLICY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume 5, Issue 509, 31 July 1883, Page 3

LOCAL POLICY.

(to the editor of the waipawa mail.) Slit, — In my last, T left off with an allusion to “ another.” There iH something tragical in what I am about to write in continuation, but nothing at all romantic or ajsthetical. Casllobuilding in the air is one thing, and house-building on a public road is another. I do not intend to take the chance of breaking my neck, or suffering any of my worldly brotherhood or sisterhood to do so, who may attempt to travel down the ridge to the Waipawa ford, by passively falling down and worshipping the good man who has put on his heavy boots and walked over the County Council and Bead Board as if they were dirt

under his feet. Perhaps they are—he ought to know. Reports have got about, and have been afloat a long time, that neither Mr Abbot nor his attorney would convey the Abbotsford township roads in the usual manner; also that Mr Abbot, before he left the colony for England, had sold to Mr Bibby that portion of Kenilworth street which bounded section 1, then already the property of Mr Bibby. The townspeople generally resented at the time this breach of covenant, as tho plan from which a large number of sections were Rold clearly defined the roads, by which access was given in various directions to the several properties purchased. The new building, I feel certain, covers the whole width of this piece of road, about half a chain. But this was not enough ; tho building required support to the foundation, and consequently eight or ten additional feet had to be taken from the road, to make an embankment or buttress to strengthen the ground work. The County Council gave Mr Bibby notice of this encroachment, with tho usual protest. Councillor Bibby smiled —he represents the “ interests” of Waipawa. The other Councillors in Council smiled also, and the resolution passed. The Clerk was instructed to make out tho notice in due form, and have it served on the offender, and the Road Overseer was not instructed at all, so every man did his duty, and Councillor Bibby did the ford.

I always doubted the truthfulness of these reports, and, therefore, recently interviewed Mr Lyndon as to facts, lie cordially and without reserve gave mo all the information I required. lie said he had never been applied to to convey tho Abbotsford roads to the Road Board, and that ho was quite willing to do so, and would, if requested, complete the conveyance at once, according to the plan officially deposited. He was decidedly of opinion that Mr Bibby had not the slightest right or title to erect his store on any part of Kenilworth street, as M r A bbot had not sold, nor had Mr Bibby bought and paid for, tho land in dispute. Mr Lyndon added further observations as to other transactions, but 1 wish to confine my remarks at present to the Waipawa ford. Now, this piece of Kenilworth street is the most prominent and valuable property iu Waipawa, and if it could bo fairly sold for building purposes would certainly fetch £lO per foot frontage, or £‘3oo. But it is the property of tho Road Board, whenever that lively body wakes up sufficiently 1o apply to Mr Lyndon to sign the necessary document, and it is the imperative duty of tho Road Board to open up Kenilworth street as well as tho Waverloy road, but not according to St. Stephen’s plan. Next time —the breakwater.—l am, &c., HENRY ARROW. Waipawa, July 2(5.