RIVAL CLAIMS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 249, 9 April 1910, Page 2

RIVAL CLAIMS.

(To the Editor), Sir,—On reading Otangiwai Notas in y>ur issue of the 30th ult., I cravo space to allow me to dispel any erroneous ideas that may have been impressed by your correspondent of that place with regard to the Ohura County Council and Mangaroa. Evidently he voices the feelings of the Otangiwaians in their unwarranted wail against the county town, Mangaroa, and to those not conversant with facts, [ wish to assert and show that wc have more than reasonable claim to the premier position of this large district, and any ono who is at all broad-minded cannot gainsay it. To begin with, Mangaroa has the sole distinction in the Ohura of being laid off as a town. The other places on the Government maps and references arc laid off for "villages." To say that the population of the two northern ridings equals half of the Ohura is not in keeping with Council election returns which show Mangaroa 102, Tatu yO, Otangi\vai 72, Matiere 76, and out of £6OO County rates Matiere and Otangiwai contribute about £2OO. When you see this the wail is like that of a spoiled child who wants what is not good for its best interests, and to put forward the claim for Matiere that it is the natural centre is not in keeping with common sense and unbiassed feeling. It is necessary for some places to be trumpeted abroad as being the hub of the universe, especially if vested interests are making for fictitious prosperity and those individuals are perfectly justified in doing so because it is to their personal gain or is at least with that end in view, but when it comes to public buildings such as Council Chambers it is only just and right that they be in an impartially recognised centre, acknowledged by the Government, the County, and tho people who are abovo petty feelings. The sole town of the Ohura will flourish without the necessity of proclaiming that such a place is in the King Country, and for sterling investments ;io other settlement oil'ers the same prospects and promise.—l am, etc., MANGAROAN.