THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1907. PROPOSED TOWN BOARD FOR TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 36, 28 June 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1907. PROPOSED TOWN BOARD FOR TE KUITI.

Just as the transition stage in all life is universally recognised to be a delicate period, and one which is fraught with great possibilities for ultimate good or evil, so is the transition stage of a communit3 r from the calm serenity of somnolence to progress. At such periods in the life of a community there is apt to be a spii-it of restlessness, and doubt as to the manner of progress to be adopted. Very often factions are created and sides taken over matters which are obviously for the general good. Happy is the community which can boast the possession at such times of tolerant, far-see-ing men, capable Of subjugating private feelings, and of making judicious compromises for the benefit of the whole ; men endowed with'the faculty of thinking big, and who are broad enough in spirit to endeavour to cement those inevitable differences which render the march of progress such a boulder-strewn track I to the tactless. The Rohe Potae is just now in its transition stage, and the progressive ones, in various centres, are bestirring themselves with a view to making the most of the evanescent opportunity. The movement in the direction of forming a Town Board at Te Kuiti is a decided step in progress, and it is to be devoutly hoped the efforts of the residents will be carried to an effective issue. Last Saturday's meeting was well attended, and the interest taken in the movement was pointed proof of the wishes of a great number. Unfortunately, owing to the anomaly created by the different tenures under which the township and suburban lands are held, £there are more difficulties to overcome than would be the case under ordinary conditions. However, there are no insuperable obstacles, and, with united efforts, and a sinking of small individual interests for the good of the whole, there is no reason why the formation of a Board should not be accomplished. The township

is growing fast, and means will have to be adopted to provide the ordinary conveniences necessary for the wellbeing of the community. A system of sanitation will have to be inaugurated at the earliest possible moment, otherwise the place will become a reeking fever bed in summer. The lessens of civilization have to b.' learned hardly, and mankind has long realised that there ore certain pains and penalties incurred through dcfj> . ing Nature's laws. The most com-/ mon penalty is death. On the other desirable and necessary things for benefit of the whole, it is unnecessary to dwell. Our interests are common, and we must all recognise that in order to progress, the necessary channels, through which to act, must be provided. It is desirable that the various points in connection with the subject, should be discussed and considered. Questions of area, rating on unimproved values, the liability of Native owners, and any other aspects of the subject which may affect different sections of the inhabitants, should be threshed out. Still there remain the broad issues of the progress of the place, and the pub-j lie good. These are the things of-thef highest importance, and to acconW plish anything in those interests thers must be unremitting effort and hearty co-operation. — «►■--- ■ -• - The necessity fori pointed activity on the part of the various Government departments, at Te Kuiti, is very strongly exemplified in the matter of the Post-office and i Railway StationX' After persistent efforts for some years a station-master is| to be appointed for the centre, and the postal business which has hitherto been carried on in the station, is now transacted in an out-building behind Mr Sims' board-ing-house. Some; years ago, when progress was not so apparent in the place, one of the Native owners of the township offered a'site for a post-office in the centre of the main street. The section in question has always been regarded as the future abiding place of the post-office, and is in every respect suitable for the purpose. However, is now transpires that the department does not intend to utilise the site.whVc'h has therefore reverted to the owne'r. The townspeople are now in doubt as to whether there is ever going to be a post-office cstablised, and if so, where it is to be built. The Government possess a section of land in the township,.'upon which it is said there is to be erected a block of building for the accommodation of several branches of public service. Presumably the post-office is to be included in the projected building. Unfortunately for the townspeople the site is entirely unsuitable. The business portion of the Te Kuiti is on the , eastern side of the railway, and with a post-office established on the we£t,crn side, it would mean either a/con-" tinual crossing of the railway ILrics of a busy station, or a walk of a very considerable distance to get round the station by the crossing. This is one of the many matters of local importance which could be dealt with constitutionally by a Town Board, and it is to be hoped no time will be lost in putting matters on a satisfactory j footing in this respect.