CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2401, 16 January 1909, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters, is welcomed at all times, but it must be distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of Us correspondents.]

A SETTLER’S GRIEVANCE

[To the Editor.]

*Sir, —Pevmifc me. to stale < x- gro.at grievance that I have against the local authorities • who administer our roads. I have been a settler, working hard, for 36 years in New Zealand, and for the past 25 years I have, been an occupier of land in the Whatnpoko block. I have paid all rates (County and Board Board) for

this period, also a special rate for the Matokitoki loan for fifteen years past, and the result is that I have not got a docent or ordinary road to mvproperty. - In fact the conditions are worse than when 1 first took up my place. I lay the blame partly to the ana thy of the Road Board interested. Though they bleed me, for rates I got nothing in return. This is very hard lines for a struggling settler. I have to thunk Air. Charles Gray, while in - the County Council,

for adveating my cause and endeavoring to assist in obtaining redress of my grievance; also Mir. Dewing, member. of flie Taruhci-u Road Board, who always helped me. Air. (Councillor) Holden has not been long enough in the Council to grasp my situation. 1 hope, however, he will hike a hand in the matter in order to settre tins question. I may say that possibly other agencies are at work trying to thwart me iu getting access to my nropertv bv a good or passable road, but it is my intention (and you will agree with me) that I will move in everynway. to preserve my homestead for self, wife, and family. I hope the , publication of this letter will be efl'ect- , mil in bringing about a reform in the methods adopted ".by what, 1 consider interested parties towards me. T have one other recourse and that is to lay the whole facts before Parliai monk with a view to getting a remedy. —I am, etc. j J. O’GRADY'.

i January If