THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1907. ENDING THE OLD—BEGINNING THE NEW.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 52, 18 October 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1907. ENDING THE OLD—BEGINNING THE NEW.

The present is the fifty-second issue of The King Country Chronicle, and therefore marks for it the close of a year's work among the settlers of the Rohe Potae. The journal was started as a purely local paper, with the object (after paying for itself) of assisting in the progress of the whole district. Without a newspaper any district may be justly be likened to a person without a voice. We have endeavoured, therefore, to fulfill the mission of a responsible journal by proclaiming the needs of each locality and voicing sentiments of liberality and fairness, while claiming for all that measure of justice which lis the birthright of the freeborn in all lands. We trust our efforts have been productive of good, and as the country progresses and the different matters necessary to progress become organised, we hope to give and receive assistance in a broad, unselfish spirit towards making the Rohe Potae the best possible place to live in. Our country, with its vast potentialities, is destined to become one lof the finest in the Dominion, and our towns must of necessity become worthy centres of such a heritage. By earnest co-oper-ation, on broad lines, the settlers, both new and old, can accomplish much towards the prosperity of all, and we hope by advocating impersonally, and in the most liberal spirit, those things which make for the public good, to contribute a certain force towards the most desirable end. There is a wide field for journalistic action, and the requirements of the district are many. Only by making the most use of, and giving the most assistance towards

the paper, can the settlers hope to get the full benefits of publicity. In asking for the hearty co-operation of all, we do so with the knowledge that our interests are mutual, and the journal will have fulfilled its mission if, in addition to chronicling the daily events of passing moment, it plays its part in furthering the interests of the general public on broad, unselfish lines. NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION. Notwithstanding the many definite and emphatic assurances by members of the Government during recess and the early stages of the session that the Native Land Question would be dealt with immediately, it was not until last week that any reference was made to this important matter in Parliament. Then it was only in response to pointed questions by the Auckland Members that the Pteir.ier was induced to state that legislation bearing on the matter would be introduced this session. The importance of the Native Question to the whole of the country can hardiy be over estimated and to many localities the passing of reasonable legislatisn for the opejir

ing of Native-owned lands would bring prosperity and activity in place of the stagnation at present so much in evidence. To no other district, however, is the matter of sucli vital importance as to the Rohe Potae. The progress of the place is to a great extent dependent upon the solution of the difficulty, and the seeming lethargy of the Government is hard to understand, in view of the rcprcscnttations made by the Commission appointed to inquire into the question. It is also well known that owing to hurried and faulty legislation at the end of last session a Bill was passed which rendered it impossible for many " bona fide" settlers to complete leases already arranged, and definite assurance was given that the mistake would be rectified as soon as 'possible. That steps have not yet been taken to remedy the hardship inflicted by an acknowledged blunder does not refiict credit upon those responsible, and it is to be hoped pressure will be brought to bear, in order to place in a sound position men who have been put to very considerable expense and trouble by hurried and ill-considered action.

o- -■• ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. IT is pleasing to note that our settlers are at length beginning to realise the force of the old adage that self-help is the surest help, and are turning their attention to improving conditions under which they have suffered for a considerable period. The Mangaorino road settlers, by combining and arranging to apply for a loan through the Waitomo County Council for the metalling of their road, have set an example which may well be followed by settlers in other parts of the district. Of course it may be contended that the Mangaorino people are exceptionally well positioned as compared with the residents in other localities. The road in question runs through little or no Native-owned land, and the burden of taxation will thus fall equally on all those deriving benefit from the improvement. This point can be conceded without detracting from the merit of the action. At the same time it is to be devoutly hoped that other progressive settlers will take heart of grace and, even where conditions are less favourable, make a strong effort to assist materially in progress by combining to formulate schemes for the general benefit, even where the advantages may be shared, to some extent, by noncontributers. The Mairoa road loan was the first attempt towards a progressive local reading scheme, and with the proper performance of technicalities, and perhaps some necessary modification to suit the requirements of the authorities, will doubtless be granted by the Government. No new district, such as ours, can hope to undertake a reading scheme of any value without borrowing, and with a proper adjustment of conditions, the sooner the liabilities are recognised and undertaken, the sooner will prosperity for our district become an established fact. If the action of the Mangaorino residents serves no other purpose, it is of value as indicating a desire for progress, and the recognition that the settlers themselves must take the initiative in matters affecting their own interests.