Oparau.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 299, 1 March 1907, Page 2

Oparau.

(FBOM OUR OWN CORBErPONDENT.)

If those who have lived and worked as pioneers in Oparaa for the pa c t few years w.U look back they will notice the amount of work that has been done. We are advancing by leaps and bounds, but oar road* are witnesses of broken Government promises. We cime here distinctly on the understanding that roads were ro be made for us, but we have not yet got a road from Oparau to Kawhia. It is now patent to all that the present Government are desirous of shirking’the promises of the Seddon Government. When we started as a last resource to borrow money on the security of our thirds and our land we asked for a*£ to £ subsidy, and were refused. Now we find that works promised by tha Government are being put iff and it is plainly evident to tbe most careless that our County Council is supposed to make provision by special rates for these unfulfiilled pledges. Are we to quietly allow extra rates t? be squeezed out of our paltry pittances made out of our years of patient toil and hardship as pioneers of the waste lands of New Zealand ? Let us through our Farmers’ Union show the Government that we intend to hava 8 >me reward in the shape of roads and bridges. We can do it. Unity is all that is necessary. At present our Union is only the laughing stock of Labour Unions because we do not all work together, and many do not take a sufficiently intelligent interest in the future succuss of the farmer. If we stick together for our own benefit and act intelligently we will succeed. At present we are borrowing money to make our roads, thus loading our farms, whereas if we were united we would get our roads paid for from public revenue.

A letter was seat to the Chief of the Telegraph Department staling that the telephone office at Oparau was not sound proof. Tbe reply was if not suitable close the office until a suitable one can be made. Fancy closing an office only just opened but which had roved such a boon I Tbe reply was decisive, and until we have an 8 x 8 sound proof box we must say nothing more or we will lose a telephone. Mr M'Cbesney, our local ehool master, has been re-plseed by Miss Hayes, formerly of Kinobaku. It probably won’t be long before we have a better school, as at the rate the place is improving it warrants it. Mr Jonathan intends building a new store on Mrs Mold’s land. The bridge at the Okupatu, has been ordered to be built since January 9th. The delay is now with tho Government servants. A request has been made for a bridge at the Ferry, but the usual reply, viz., n the matter has been noted for consideration iu dealing with the estimates for the coming financial year.” March Ist ie the coming financial year, and if this work is given a show we will have a bridge here in 18 months or two years’ time. Tbe contrast between the feed here and in the South Island this year is very decided. The grass here ie good, and ail stock are doing well. Mr Thomas Scott is again in good health and I am sure all here heartily wish him a long continuance of the same.