Apiti Notes.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 274, 29 March 1894, Page 2

Apiti Notes.

[FROM OUB OWN COBBESPONDENT.] A meeting of ratepayers was held in the school house on Monday night for the purpose of nominating a candidate to fill the vacancy on the Pohangina Road Board, made by the death of the late Mr G. R. Lucas. Mr Guy was voted to the chair and in a few well chosen words referred to the loss the district had sustained in the death of their late Warden. After some discussion in which several ratepayers took part Mr E. Goodbehere and Mr Vicary were duly proposed and seconded. It was thought the meeting was not sufficiently representa tive to decide the question by a show of hands, therefore it was resolved to adjourn until April 10th so as to secure a larger attendance. It would appear from the way some of our people here talk that it is impossible to get a local man to represent them as Warden to manage their public affairs, without going outside for one ; but I am glad to see that others are awakening to the knowledge that no matter how good a man may be, there is nothing like haring one chosen on the spot who has had to contend with the difficulty of opening the settlement. He is more likely to take a practical interest, and see that our money is well spent. It was mentioned at the meeting the ward was in debt, and it wanted someone who understood finance to get it out of that position. In my opinion if they want the ward out of debt, the best plan is to put in a man who understands work, and leave out some of the finance. We have had a short piece of metalling done lately. The road was formed some years ago, but now the Engineer thought there was wanted as much as 12 or 18 inches of earth carted on to raise a fairly level road, and the result is the work cost about twice as much as it should have done. If the extra money had been spent in metalling a few more ciiains, every one would have been better satisfied. Or, the school road could have been metalled instead of the settlers having to turn to and do that themselves. Now, if we had a Warden on the spot, he could see what was going on, some of this extravagance would be checked, and therefore the ward most likely be got out of debt. If we go on at the present rate a loan of £QOQO will not be sufficient to complete our roads, let alone the £2000 already voted for. Before the meeting closed it was resolved, Tljat Mr Guy send a letter of condolence and sympathy to Mrs Lucas on behalf of the ratepapprs, for the loss ot her late husband. (