Round and About.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, 14 April 1905, Page 2

Round and About.

[By Onlooker, J

[We do not necessarily identify ourselves with the opinions expressed 'in this column.] There was almost a stand up fight in front of the Kawhia Post Office the other day, between no, I will not mention the names. The argument arose so simply that it is worth men tioning, and perhaps, Mr Editor, a copy of the Settler with this paragraph marked should to forwarded to our worthy Premier as a sample of what is likely to occur if the Government continue spending money in this district so lavishly as they are at present doing The topic of conversation was as to which would prove the better member, Mr Ling or Mr Greenslade ; what the Goverumynt had done for the Kawhia district; how many promises had been kept, and so on. Ono of the debaters remarked that notwithstanding the Premier’s many promises no thing had neen done for the Kawhia township by the Government, when his opponent said that his friend was short-sighted or he would observe that works were being carried on then—yes, even at that very [minute. This statement was naturally greeted with derision by No. 1, to the annoyance of No. 2, who instantly threatened to do lota af queer things with his annoyor. I stood eagerly watching the next performance, which, however, did not ; tike place, for ibe former at that time caught sight of two men putting in a culvert on the road that leads tj Rag lan, and the shock he received was a severe one. Ho instantly apologised to his friend, but ho apology w.is absolutely nullified by the satirical manner in which he exclaimed, “ The ejection is in November, isn’t it ?’*

So there is a scarcity of labourers in the Kawhia district, is there? Friend Worthington lays so, and “ he ought te know, you know.” But of all ,tbe excuses ever put forward as to why work is not proceeded with, surely this must be easily awarded the palm. Why. I have ?i- aa- tn my as twenty mtn of th.' labuuriug clu»3 leave Kawhia by tfics same steamer, there being a scarcity of work after the bush felling bad been completed. The road works should haye been in full swing just about that time and there would have been plenty of men available. I agree that labour at Awaroa cannot be obtained just now, but what is the reason ? Just this. The residents of that place are all settlors —aye, genuine .settlers—and know that it will be impossible to get away from their holdings during the winter on account of the absence of roads, so are fully employed getting in their stock of supplies now, preparatory to spending another winter in exile.' — thanks to the dilatoriness of the Government and its officials. I should not like this to meet the eye of one whose “ heart bleeds for the settlers of the back blocks,” as it may prove too much for bim.

Thu t,u u the Pretudi = uefareHoe to the need of a railway from the Main Trunk Line to Kawhia came as a surprise to residents here, and even yet I do not think some of them realise that the Premier really made the statement. I believe he did, but would like to know what the motive is. It jlooks to me very like an electioneering dodge, but still for all that tho matter ought to receive more atlion than it ha<, and I am surprised that a move has not been made in the direction of seeing the Premier's suggestion given effect to. To obtain the railway there must be agitation, and the subject kept well in front of the Government, otherwise it is likely to be overlooked. I would advise that a start be.made at once to endeavour te bring about the construction of this railway, which would undoubtedly prove to lie one of the best revenueproducing work* ever undertaken by the Government.

Talking about railways reminds me that poor old Raglan has again showed the “ green eyed monster” by endeavouring to prove that a railway to that somnolent hamlet would be as beneficial to the colony as one to Kawhia. I am not fond *of arguments, and therefore will not commence one, and would only say that the gentleman who is best able to judge—the Premier—does not think so, or he would have said as much.