CORRESPONDENCE

Kumara Times, Issue 997, 10 December 1879, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

[The Editor does not, necessarily, adopt the opinions expressed by correspondents.] ARAHURA ROAD BOARD ELECTION. [to the editor.] Sir—lt will devolve upon the electors to-morrow, Thursday, between 9 and 4 o’clock to elect three members for the vacant seats in the Arahura Road Board, and anyone whose name is on the Electoral Roll for the district of Hokitika will be entitled to vote, and likewise those holding miners’ rights or business licenses of two months currency, or renewals from those which had expired. The primary issue involved in this election is~Shall there be another Road Board assessment for the ensuing year 1 I am, &c., F. Stanhope. Dilhnans, December 10th.

A GRIEVANCE. [to the editor.] Sir—Having been informed that a statement was made at the last meeting of the Children’s Picnic Committee to the eflect that I asked too much for my toys last year, and that therefore they were purchased elsewhere,.! deny that any inquiries were made at my place as to the price I would charge for toys for that purpose. Had such been done, I intended to have lent anything required for the amusement of the children, which I subsequently did; for on arriving at the

paddock and finding the ad nothing to play with, I brought as many bats, wickets, balls, and shipping ropes as I could cany, and lost articles to the value of 15s or 20s. I was always under the impression that the few toys furnished by the Committee were obtained in Hokitika. The general course pursued on these occasions in Kumara is to procure the goods anywhere but in the town where the money is subscribed ; as an instance, I may mention that, hearing that the books _to be presented to the children this year were to be purchased in Christchurch—without any previous applications to me or any other tradesman in the district.—l showed samples and offered to supply the books required at a slight advance on the Christchurch prices, including expenses ; but the Committee preferred sending out of the district for them, also inducing another person who I had reason to believe intended to purchase from me to include his order ; and no doubt the books will cost more than if purchased from me by the time the expenses of transit are paid, especially as I should have presented some prize, as I did last year, having on that occasion given turn of the principal gifts presented to the scholars. I had no wish to advert to these matters, but, under the circumstances, consider I am justified in making then! public.—l am &c., S. M. SPIEESi Kumara, December 9th, 1879.