THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1908. BACKBLOCK MAILS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 102, 15 October 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1908. BACKBLOCK MAILS.

From present appearances there is very serious danger of a crying injustice "being perpetrated with regard to the application by the settlers for an increase in the mail service from Te Kuiti to the out districts, from once to twice a week.. However, notwithstanding the reply received from the Department with regard to the application, there is yet time and opportunity, by means of concerted action, to have she question reconsidered. The grounds fo the tefusal for the increase are, that the business done does not warrant the increase, and that the extra amount requred for the [ncreased servce is excessve. Incidentally it is mentioned that the high price for the service is due to the very bad condition of the roads in winter. With such a reason as the last-mentioned assigned as a good cause for penalising the settlers by withholding ordinary facilities, and practically bidding them close their doors on the outside world, it is little wonder that widsepread discontent is caused, which finds vent in bitter criticism of Government methods. Such action part of the authorities is, moreover, manifestly unfair to Mr Jennings in his candidature for the electorate, as with an energetic opponent in the field, there is little doubt that such happenings will be seized upon to make political capital for the campaign. The reasons set forth, while doubtless thoroughly convincing to the Department, when subjected to the tort ot local knowledge. are capable oL modihcatiom '[he statement that the amount of business done does net warrant the increase • ■ totally at variance with local opinion. Taking the estimate tor (he six month.-! : prior to January 's.si oi oorresponoenee pot-tcd and delivered at i'iopio, IY.omako and Aria, the ligures are appro* i nit rely : - I'osu d. ; Letters. lYeks. News. i j/'io I'io 5 il 'J I*. 10! 10!' iYeniako 1287 05 ISO Aria. 2008 52 150> Delivered, Letters. Books, News. Pio isio 3 701 200 2102 ['aemako 0-A5 !-.12 0000 Aria 5 j:j 4 1 i 70 1 '.'oo Considering the ra])id development of j the district, and the consequent increase or population, it is beyond doubt . that these Ogures have mmcrinily increased in the meantime. Moreover, it is common knowleisigo that in consequence of the scarcity of mails from the ouUiislricts a very large percentage

of 'otters aro bought to Te Kuiti between mails, ami posted. This large pern, v'deh might have the i:',\: at (■•' ■.■.'•■•-. obmv sumek-ni: additional i::i : ::■..'••>: [■■■ v,:on-e.nt the increased mail l-i-jvir:.'. Is naLur.diy not allowed for by the I"•;': a-Gun•;"■'. As regards the rotate ■ ;' m; n ; ■' bo van dor, and its bearing en (V..- .:".-. ■'!' • ■ of cost, we confidently ass-ad' that no dimculiy would be cxpcrh ;:c'ii in .curing an additional oe■'■.■■■'?(' I,) too places mentioned, at a very small additional cost to the Department. The main road is being improved each year, and with an active mote II In;,' policy during the coming son; on tin- journey to the outdistricts will be much mere easily accomplished than in the past, Altogether, there is annuo gr-auol for continuing the agitation, nad'.vita united action by town and country-, tlmeo is every reason to hnpv that the additional service will be grant:-. There aro other places which might be mentioned, in addition to the three already referred to, but with the service extended to only the three, the position would be much alleviated. As a last resource even an extra service to Pio Pio would be worth having. Still, the arguments for the other centres are just as strong as those for Pio Pio, and there is no reason to suppose that the one will be granted without the other. OUR TOWNSHIPS. A number of people, including the Native Minister, are apparently be coming aware of the factthat the King Country is a place to be considered seriously. This understanding was materially quickened by the attitude of the Township deputation, which waited upon the Premier and the Native Minister at Wellington recently. No inconsiderable amount of trouble was taken to carefully and emphatically impress upon the Minister that the townships required, and claimed equal facilities, and advantages fovaclfgovernment, and progress European the request was eminently reasonable, and the least with which any self-respect-ing community should be satisfied. The Native Minister, within whose special province the administration of the townships lies, was not slow to recognise the justice of the claim, and if his future efforts are inspired by the principles which he professes to hold, material improvement may be locked for with regard to the status of our townships. It is difficult to to understand the ignorance of our politicans with regard to matters which are of such vital importance to the King Country, but that such ignorance does exist") we have ample and widespread evidence. This state of things renders it absolutely necessary that we should unite, and by means of active and persistent agitation, seek to obtain the facilities for working out our joint and several destinies. The matter rests entirely with ourselves. We have one of the finest districts in the Dominion, capable of producing up to a high standard in every respect; endowed with a splendid climate, and unrivalled natural resources. Our townships are ideally situated, both for beauty and progress, and are natural distributing centres for districts already becoming well settled, and possessing great potentialities. Truly a to be proud of, and one calculated to engender a spark of public spirit in the breasts of the least imaginative of its inhabitants. It is high time we emerged from the chrysalis stage, and, mastering the necessities of our district, set about providing for the satisfactory government of our centres. Our requirements are legion, and the only way to satisfy them is by united action, dictated by careful consideration from the standpoint of the public good. Moreover, it is of little use carrying grievances to the authorities without a carefully considered plan, and suggestions to remedy the grievances. Our case is best understood by ourselves, and by making statesmanlike propositions, carrying the hall mark of equity and justice, we are/doing much to secure the desired end. The path of duty lies plainly before us and -we only justify our claim to consideration by settling ourselves steadfastly to the task of making our townships desirable places to live in. It is not given to many to have the opportunity 01' asshuhu.' ia the initial development of such a district, and with hearty co-op; r..i.k:i and a full recognition oi' i ho goideo. opporinnity which lies before ma we can attain the forerVonl ana'.•!;■' l'a■ progressive communi tie.- of bee ia".sinmm Without the v,rc-.>.-a;--- eiVoi'i \.\a must be content to ::ce mi. the ;;\ siueni considered good for the lethargic, and drift aii-njv. bo" soert oi' overyjjwhim I.of an indifferent Government, and the byeword of oliar and more enterprising THE STONE CRUSHER. To the casual observer the task of procuring metal for ear roads seems to present eo-apmnmiv. ly few difficulties, apart brent the henna; o l ' ,ho neoost'ary capital '«•> pay ha- lie- labour of prowere araiiiba! 0> f.e'n thai , hoGovornu'eub aider vine ~ of a;'hation, had derhh'd to place a stem.- era da-r in the do tried for the purjvo; .•!." providing fondly hoped thai suhstani bh wa.rk of a -permanent muure would lie aecom-

plished during the coming season. It| has . now been discovered that the utmost capacity of the crusher will only provide sufficient material to metal two miles of road. Considering the uncanny habits of machines, in general and, their weakness for stoppages and interruptions of various sorts, the two miles estimate will probably dwindle to half that distance in the practical test of continuous work. far from a desirable state of affairs, and it. is to be hoped the efforts of the settlers to induce the Government to provide a more adequate plant will be successful. Perhaps the machine supplied is better than none, but it is so little better as to be hardly worth mentioning. Unless the Department is desirous of further adding to its reputation of to understand the needs of the diftric!, it will lose no time in.providygf a r.ui'iicient plant to cope wTEm tl^j^m.