AKAROA MEMBERS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 141, 14 November 1874, Page 2

AKAROA MEMBERS.

To the Editor of the Glohe

Sir,—l am extremely glad to think that the people of Akaroa are arousing themselves as to the manner in which they have been represented. I remember, Sir, when Mr Moorhouse, our late Superintendent, used to come down here conversing with us and promising us all sorts of good things, in fact, everything we wanted, and all we could suggest. The great difficulty we had at that time was a road to Christchurch. The road we wanted was round Lake Forsyth, and through Price’s and Birdling’s swamp. This was our sticking point, until Mr William White opened that route for the purpose of a tramway. When we saw that his tram line, after he had formed it, would suit for a cart road, we petitioned the Provincial Council to arrange with Mr White for that part of his tramway line that runs alongside of Lake Forsyth, and I am certain, sir, and my belief is confirmed by a great many more, that if Mr White had not undertaken that work we should have been without a road to Christchurch from Akaroa to this day. It will be in the rcollection of many of your readeis that when Mr White proposed undertaking this work he was opposed by Mr Moorhouse, our late representative, with all that gentleman’s might, so much so that he appointed a commission of engineers to report on the feasibility of Mr White’s scheme. If I am not greatly mistaken the report of these gentlemen was to the effect that a road alongside Lake Forsyth would cost £IO,OOO, for a mere bridle track: but Mr White made a good cart road, and I believe it has not cost the Government more than half what the commission of engineers stated it would cost for a mere bridle track. It will therefore be seen that it is Mr White we have to thank for having a coach running to Christchurch from Akaroa, and not any of our representatives ; and I make bold to say, sir, that no man was ever bullied and thwarted in any undertaking in the same manner as Mr White was while he was endeavouring to open up the Little River bush timber for the use of the people on the plains. It was not a month’s delay that occurred, Sir, nor a year’s delay either, but to my certain knowledge there was at least three years’ delay caused by, to say the least of it, the blundering of the Government. If Mr White had known how to take a beating he would in my opinion have been ruined twice over. There are some people in Little River, who have great need to thank Mr White for the position they now hold ; some of them I believe do, but there are some evil disposed individuals who are endeavoring to undermine him, and I would only say

to such people, “ Back, vipers, you are biting a file.” And now I shall return to Mr Moorhouse and again remark that when the road round Lake Forsyth was proposed to be made, he, our old representative, opposed it with might and main. Also, when it was brought before the Provincial Council, atking that the tramway line should be made into a cart road, he again opposed that, although we always supported him on account of his promises. Even the first time when Mr Rolleston presented himself as Superintendent, we almost in a body supported Moorhouse, but, sir, we have since had reason to be thankful that we were in the minority, for our present Superintendent is not like some people I know, who only support those who vote for him ; for you must be fully aware, sir, as well as we are, that Mr Rolleston has never rested since the road was made along Lake Forsyth until he got the coach to run to Akaroa. Will, sir, we have had three great men to represent us, first of all Mr Moorhouse, then Mr Rolleston, and now Mr Montgomery. It strikes me, sir, that the latter gentleman is likely to turn out a second Moorhouse. He promised us that Lake Ellesmere was to be drained, and that after his election we were to have a railway, and he should set to work about it an once. But, sir, what did he say or do for us in the Provincial Council ? What did he do for us in the General Assembly ? Echo answers what ? It looks to us, sir, that he has.let us drop like a wet rag, and I and some others hereabouts are of opinion that he is too much interested in and about Christchurch to be very anxious to see Alaroa Harbor rivalling with Port Lyttelton, so I think, sir, we had much better get some one more interested in the progress of Akaroa when the next election comes on. We must look out before then that some great man docs not send his wife amongst us under the pretence of restoring her health, but in reality for the purpose of doing a little quiet canvass. The old proverb of “Once bit, twice shy” is a most appropriate one.

Yours, &c, A VOICE FROM AKAROA. Akaroa, November 4th, 1874.