IN THE STREET.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 9 October 1872, Page 3

IN THE STREET.

In my last letter the change of a single letter has made a vast difference in the sense : you have printed the word paddocks for padlocks. It is pleasing to find that the voice of the people has not only been heard, but attended to, there being now.a small gate put up. Foot passengers will no longer have to scramble over or through a gate when visiting the cemetery. 6 Some- amusement has been caused during the past week by the exhibition of two or three placards, commonly called “ skits.” In one, at least, the subject treated ot has not been altogether a happy one. If an individual choose to spend his own time and money in the furtherance of a scheme which he bsheves --vili benefit the district in which bo resides, even if.tne measures taken be injudicious, the will and intention ought to be received in a favourable manner. If it cannot ho praised, it should hardly, bo niaue the subject of ridicule. 3 a another way inise.net often arises from these skits, from the various an-xyera given to the very natural question of “ Who did it.

, oar . re P° r k °f the native meeting at Rapgiwaea, though interesting, has given rise to much specula tion, and in many instances to ,a not flattering commentary upon the modus operand! of conducting roads through native districts. Certainly everyone cannot fully appreciate the existing difficulties, but when it is remembered that an Act of Parliament will carry a road or railway through lands held in fee simple for years, it is difficult to the comprehension of many to understand real obstacles standing in the way of laying out a road through thousands and thousands ot acres of unused lands, and therefore commercially speaking, G f little value. Roads as a rule improve the value of a country. If this be applicable to the Pakeha, why not to the Maori ? So I hear the new Ministry have in their tarn been defeated by a small majority. No one appears to bo much surprised, but at the same time the country suffers, whilst opposite parties are struggling for the distribution of the loaves and fishes. Many look forward to an appeal to the country. Others again imagine a coalition Ministry may be formed to "tideover the difficulty. In the eventbf a general election, it behoves the voters on the East Coast to be careful and thoroughly consider the merits of the various candidates who may offer themselves before they promise themselves to either. A general policy may benefit a district as part of a province or state, but unless local interests are well looked after, that district will be behind in the race for improvement. One thing doubtless will be saved by the change, that is, the expense and excitement of a provincial election. Your remarks cm scandal have, I believe, given unmixed satisfaction. It would indeed be a pity if Tauranga should sink into a Little Pedlington, and a settlement which requires unity and perseverance be cut up into a number of petty cliques, feeding their jealousy of eacli other upon ill-natured remarks and damaging reports. I am glad the Bay of Plenty Timks refuses to become an organ for scurrility and personal abuse. oo far from such refusal necessitating the packing up of traps and prospecting for a fairer field, I fancy it will rather oblige the owners to increase the paper and send for more type, as already the advantages of a local press are beginning to be appreciated. “Justice's” reply to “Commercial” meets with the approbation of everyone I have yet heard allude to the subject. All agree that our Postmaster and Xclagraphist is very hardly worked, but does his duty honestly and truly, and any unmerited attack upon a really deserving officer will always be met by public sympathy. ■ * Paxilltj3.