FIFTY-THREE YEARS AGO

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1947, Page 2

FIFTY-THREE YEARS AGO

^ The following are taken from the Otaki paper, the West Coast Mail, in 1894: It will be remembered that some time ago the residents of Horowhenua petitioned Parliament against the closing of the postofflce in. that district. The matter has been investigated by the Public Petitions Committee, and they have recommended the Government to reconsider the matter. Mr. Byron Brown on Wednesday sold the horse which has been used in the local post office service. The bidding was brisk, and a' good price (£12) was realised for the animal. The following story is told by a contemporary: — "The disadvantage of the want of education was shown by a gentleman -who had missed his path in Hertford and rode up to a cottage for direction. He found that a banknote for £20 and an old ballad had been stuck against a broken window pane. The aged couple to whom the note Ibelonged could neither read nor j write, and were consequently ignorant of its value." We should much like to see some of this kind of ignorance about Otaki. Mr. J. G. Wilson, "member for Otaki, on Tuesday introduced Messrs. Cook, Speedy,-- Field, Bradley, Jellett and Majendie to the Minister of Lands, and asked for Government assistance in completing the road between Paekakariki and Waikanae. Mr. Field, Warden pf Wainui Riding, pointed out that no thirds had been ; received from the land, as it had Ibeen handed over to the Wellingi ton-Manawatu Railway Company. iThs county had no funds, and the | district, an cutlying portion of the i county, was so small that they i could not, out of the funds at their id^rporal, make the road, which was the last link linmade on the West IC:ast road. The Minister asked Ithat the deputation put their d.emands in writing, and promised that he would then 'ook carefully into the matter.