THE RANGER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 501, 3 May 1881, Page 3

THE RANGER.

To the Editor. Sib,—l feel lam bound to say a few words on the above subject. I have M'pontedly noticed letters in your paper anything but complimentary to the Ranger. These letters arc of course from those who have been for years running cattle on the roads at our expense. These persona consider the Ranger and the Poundkeeper thorough lurisanoi-s, and a cruel imposition on the rights of the people. As one of the public , , and a rntepfl3'er, I say the appointment of & ranger was a t=tep in the right direction. Such a person should have a salary and a respon-ible head. Instead of this, we have a man without a salary, and those who appointed him will not accept the slightest ippponsibi ity, but me rather inclined to throw all the odium connected with the (.Ilice on the unfortunate Ranger.

In your report of the Akaroa and Wainui Ito'id Boon! (see Mail April 19), the Ranger nsks for information re pound--ing off the W'ninui road. This request] Sir, brought me up standing, I find on enquiring) ihpro are certain roads on which the Ranger must not go. Such a state of tilings is unheard of out of this district. The Bond Boaul, some years ago, cnine to the conclusion that if a person was appointed to keep the roads clear of cattle it would be a saving of £150 a.year Any traveller on the roads will know that that amount won't cover tho destruction done. We have a man who has performed the duties of ranger for months past in a .satisfactory manner. Satisfactory as regards the public, but unsatisfactory I should say to himself, that is, I mean on the score of receipts. It appears he has impounded 150 head during the last seven months for which lie has received in fees the magnificent amount of £11, about Is 5d a day. I think Sir it is time our ranger had fair play. He has not received the support be might have expected from those who appointed him, and he is constantly vilified by those who ought to know better. He has worked our roadster the last seven months at a loss, and this is allowed to go on by those who are fully alive to the good derived from a ranger. Besides, this man has a wife and family, and he, through In's inaptitude for business, has not been successful, yet is not unwilling, or incapable of carrying out tbe arduous duties of a ranger. I am glad to see the appointment of a ranger is exercising the minds of the Piceon Bay settlers,—l am, etc., ° VIGILANS.