THE EDUCATION RESERVE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1430, 3 May 1881, Page 2

THE EDUCATION RESERVE.

[to the editor.]

Sm—ln an issue, 28th ult., of your contemporary the West Coast Times appears a scurrilous and abusive letter, teeming with falsehoods which are so patent as to need no refutation; but in the interests of this district I can-

not refrain from criticism. I wonder such an acute “Observer” wants to know anything ; but we find him asking to know how many men are raining on the Reserve, and asserting that there are a certain number. We have him also giving section-holders advice, when, had he been so sharp in observation as he is clever in misstatements and impudent effrontery, he would have seen that the section-holders have been trying for four years to “ settle the grievance.” And now when an attempt has been made by certain gentlemen to harass and oppress the miners, they (the miners) have united in the protest against such conduct. As for the mild insinuation he makes with regard to “ leagues ” and “ Boycotting,” let him rest assured that were it not for his unmauliness in stabbing in the dark, he would not save his miserable self from just indignation from an outrageously insulted community. Again-, he Cries “ Woe to Hokitika 1” when all our disappointed aspirants besiege it and the Commissioners. We do not impute to the people of Hokitika any part in the aggravation of our grievances; therefore they may rest in peace; in fact one of the Hokitika members of the County Council, Mr Jack, has done more for us than anyone else, showing sympathy (which we deserve) in our anomalous position, by giving notice of motion for the Council to recommend to the Government to lift the Reserve. And, in conclusion, “ Observer ” might earn a decent livelihood in Kumara if he would open a school for elocution, as being a critic in that direction he surely must be able to perfect where he points out defects. This I know, that if earnestness is a proof of ability, there is no occasion for a tutor > and the blunders Which he points out might even pass muster with such respectable people as “ Observe!'.”—l am, yours-, <fec., * Mixer. Kumara, May 2, 1881. P.S.—I am very sorry that a journal of the class of the West Coast Times would permit such a malignant and slanderous letter to appear in its Columns. Should such conduct be continued “Boycotting” might bring even the right-hand barrel of the great gun to its senses. —Mixer. [to the editor.] Sir—The residents on the Kuraai'a Education Reserve seem to be a dis satisfied, grumbling lot of people, when viewed from the columns of your Hokitika contemporary, but to anyone intimately acquainted with their position as tenants, they are subject to a greater decree of oppression than can be met with under the British flag. Why so ? The liberal Educational Commissioners ask : Are you willing to pay, as purchase-money, from £ls to £3O a section, and all back rent? Why three years ago the Waste Lands Coramismissioneis sold the. sections on the opposite side of the Main road at an upset price of £5 per section, and things have not improved in Kumara since , and as usual in goldfields townships they are are likely to be worse every year. We have read a deal lately about Land Leagues and I Would suggest the formation of one here, as unless we act unitedly and with determination, we shall never obtain fair play or justice in the matter of Educational Commissioners and section-holders. W. G. K. Kumara, May 2, 1881.