CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1928, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

A SETTLER’S COMPLAINT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Will you allow me space to draw the public’s attention to an occurrence that throws some light on tlu tactics of our present-day politicians. Act I.—The United candidate pays a vote-catching visit to the Kokatahi Valley. A certain worthy settler complains of the conditions of his road frontage. The curtain rises 36 hours Inter on Act 2.—Arrive the County employees proceed to dump metal on road frontage immediately adjacent. Nom’, sir, 1 say good luck to tho ratepayer mTio is able to induce the members of the Westland County Council to provide a metal promenade on the reserve adjacent to his residence. I challenge Air Seddon to deny that this occurrence has any connection to his vote-catching jaunt 36 hours previous, or that it.has not some connection M'itli a certain doubt that existed in his mind as to lion: some are to he

cast on Wednesday next. Further, sir, as a ratepayer of this county, 1 M'ish to know M'ho issued the mobilisa tion orders tliat marshalled the man and horse-poM'er of the AV.C.C. and diverted it from much-needed maintenance M'ork, and rushed it to the danger spot, and, mark you, sir, part of the road over uhich that lorry rumbled for eight hours is a* disgrace to any Council, as is also certain roads in the Koiterangi district. Again, sir. a goodly proportion of the ratepayers in this riding conscientiously believe Mr O’Brien to be the abler man to represent their interests in Parliament, and as one such 1 protest that money M'liich I have helped to provide should be utilized for vote-buying purposes no matter M'hat pull the United candidate may have M'itli the executive of the AV.C.C. and further I ask is it consistent with that candidate’s oft-repeated assertion of British fair-play.

I am, etc.,

MARK WALLACE Louer Kokatahi, Nov. 7th.

[The foregoing was referred to the, County Office, and ue are informed the M'orit M’as authorised by the Chairman oil the occasion of his visit to the locality M'itli tho Overseer about two months ago. and uhen it muis reported the M'ork had not been carried out as promised by the Chairman, the Overseer stated the nork had been held in abeyance pending the staff being available, and M-oiild be attended to at once.

The actual instructions to the Overseer from tho office (M'hicli M'e have

seen) u'ore :

” B. Mulliolland complains you have not attended to the M'ork at Upper Kokatahi authorised by the Chairman some weeks ago, relating to road >surface drainage and gravelling fronting his homestead. Please give the matter immediate attention.”

It is evident our correspondent has drawn a urong inference from the incident. Partisanship often leads the umv: ry into pitfalls.—Ed. G-]