Mr Hogg's Visit.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 147, 15 April 1909, Page 5

Mr Hogg's Visit.

TO THE EPtTOR. Sir, —I was much interested in wadin| your npcits of the visit of tbe Ron. A. W. Hogg, Minister for Roads, to this district, in the last issue of tbe "Chronicle." There was » noticeable omission, however, in the Ministerial programme which is being very roocb com men ted tpon, and which surely calls for an explanation. I refer to the absence of the District Road Engineer. Mr A. Julian, from the Ministerial party. One would reasonably expect that the Minister would have secured the attendance of the District Engineer when visiting his district, especially as his avowed object was to see for himself the district, its mad, and the wishes of the settlers in regard thereto. In place, however, of following the tMttal course. Mr Hogg comes into the district accompanied, not by the District Engineer, nor a superior officer of the Department, as is customary, tot by an Engineer from an adjoining district, who is kept by the Minister apparently as guide, philosopher and friend, white he visits the different centres of his brother officer's district. One would think that the usual profesesional etiquette would have been observed even by a newly appointed ""Minister of Roads, and that such a glaring act of discourtesy to a brother officer would hsrve been avoided. Bet be that is it may, there are other features of the incident that call for consideration. Mr Julian is not only _an oflkcr of too? service in this district, wbere be has enjoyed the confidence of his superiors, and a large section of the community for many years, but be has been entrusted with the expenditure of a very large amount of public money, particularly during the last two years. In the interests of the tax payers of the Dominion in general,and the Country settler if* particular, be ought to have been given an opportunity of meeting the Minister in bb own district, when his roads were being traversed and his work inspected. If bis management has been satisfactory ho was surely entitled to credit for it; if, on the other hand, it was unsatisfactory, he. at least, should have had an opportunity of justifying his position, or, in any case, defending himself. No doubt more will yet be heard of the matter, but it is a pity that the first visit of a new Minsister bould be marred by such an unusual and unpleasant occurrence. — I »m. ete., A TAX PAYER.

TO the Eorroß. Sir, — Having heard remarks made by very many people in the township about the excettent manner in which the £2OOO loan has been spent in the improvement of the town, I have expected, ere this, to see one or more ktters in your paper giving praise to whom praise is due. As no letters have so far appeared upon this matter, 1 take it upon myself to write a few lines r opon the subject. I think one has only to carry one's mind back to a few ' months ago and compare the state of the township then and the Te Kuiti of today. It was then customary after heavy rain, to sec, and often fact, lakes and lagoons, mud holes and quagmire -». Now one can walk dry shod on good clean footpaths, and cart cross the road in any part without getting wet feet. Apart from the personal comfort to those living it* the township another point that should appeal to the average Te Kuittan, is that when one brings a visitor, say, from the railway atotion, the township can be shown with pride and pleasure, and the manifrit tidiness and cleanliness will. I fsel sure, appeal to the stranger, and a very different frrst impression, which often is a lasting one. will now be gathered. As I said before, give praise to whom praise is doe, and in connection with this matter I think a very great deal of praise should be given to those who have had the handling of the expenditure of the first loan money, spent in Te Kuiti. -Ii am, ttCt A RESIDENT.