THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1907. TOWN BOARDS FOR THE KING COUNTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 14, 1 February 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1907. TOWN BOARDS FOR THE KING COUNTRY.

In another column appears a letter advocating the formation of a Town Board for Te Kuiti. It is gratifying to see that the townsmen of the King Country are anxious to progress, and assist in the development of a new Country. The Rohe Potae is a goodly heritage, and has potentialities little dreamed of by residents outside its borders. It would be a thousand pities were it to become peopled with a class who were not believers in its great possibilites ; people who would not do their utmost to further its interests in all respects. However, judging from our contributor's letter, there is little fear of such a consumption, and there is no doubt we shall very shortly see matters moving in the direction suggested. At the same time it should be borne in mind that it is most important that all such movements should be thoroughly weighed, and considered at the inception, and every step taken should be one of substantial, and thoughtful progress. In any new conntry it is difficult to avoid mistakes. Conditions are naturally subject to constant change, and in making provision to meet ever increasing demands, we must have sturdy, and well-balanced counsel, to avoid the rocks which stud the channels, and impede the progress, of all enterprise. There is no doubt a Town Board for Te Kuiti and other King Country eefttpes if not required immediately, will very shortly be a crying necessity, and in order to keep on an equality with other progressive places, much will have to be done by the residents, Sacrifices will have to be made, to some extent, of individual interests to

the common good, and time, and work, and money, contributed to the effort of making the towns of the King Country the very best to live in, not only in Auckland province but in the Colony. This may appear flamboyant and fulsome, but calmly considered there is no exaggeration in the statement. The King Country land rivals the best of the colony ; our climate is unsurpassable ; the situation of our townships has been splendidly chosen in well sheltered and watered valleys. In short Nature has been in a benevolent mood when endowing the land, and shame will be the portion of those of its inhabitants, who do not take advantage of Nature's gifts, and lend their own efforts to" the work of good local government. In these strenuous times, when all the world is moving onward, and finding it imperative to take advantage of the latest methods, and discoveries of scientists for the benefit of the respective nations, the problem of municipal government occupies a prominent place in the questions of the hour. It is now possible to obtain the fullest particulars of the most up-to-date methods which are necessary for the health, and good living of any community, and new towns have all the advantages of the experience, and mistakes of others. Examples in abundance are all round us, and the advantages derivable therefrom should be laid to heart. In setting a high standard to work up 'to, and striving for the best, we shall be not only fulfilling an obvious, commonsense duty, but at the same time cultivating the virtue of homely patriotism, and setting a code which will operate benefically for ourselves and for those who come after us.

EDUCATION IN THE BACK BLOCKS. At the last meeting of the Education Board, at Auckland, Mr Greenslad spoke strongly against the manner in which the children of parents in backblock districts, were penalised with regard to educational facilities. He characterised the fact that back-block residents, in many cases, were asked to contribute to the cost of erecting a school building, as scandalous and unfair, pointing out that they also contributed to the general taxation of iji£ colony, and had quite enough disabilities in the shape of bad roads, and means of communication, to contend with, without being specially taxed for the most elementary requirements. Other members concurred and laid the onus of the proceeding on the Education Department, the Chairman stating that every member of the Board was most sympathetic respecting country children, and showed them every consideration. It is gratifying to see that attention has been drawn to this most important matter, and Mr Greenslade has placed every parent in the King Country under a debt of gratitude, for his outspoken condemnation of what he very rightly termed a scandal. The back-blocker, as a rule, does not wish for any undue sympathy. He is a very different kind of man, and has chosen his life because it suits him. He would not exchange lots with his city brother, but when he considers the facilities, and advantages enjoyed by the city scholar, as compared with him of the back blocks, he often finds himself longing for a change "just for the sake of the children." Technical schools, and colleges cannot be looked for in the more remote country districts, (they will come in due time to the King Country), but the interests of the back blocks in these matters are often lost sight of, and the advocacy of Mr Greenslade will be all the more appreciated by those, to whom the matter is one of the greatest importance. The member for Waikato, within recent years, has acquired an intimate personal knowledge of the King Country, and his consistent vigilance in conserving the interests of those who are deserving of every assistance, will doubtless bear fruit.