MATAKITAKI NOTES.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 272, 8 May 1886, Page 2

MATAKITAKI NOTES.

Murchison, 29fch April. The Country still remains the same; no one dies, some are born, but that is such an ordinary event that no one takes any notice whatever. The monotony of existence would become almost unendurable, if we did not relieve it sometimes by libelling our neighbours; of course that is the last thing we do resort to, usually we only keep ourselves posted in our neighbours' private concerns, and present him with a little of the accumulated wisdom not required for our own affairs; but somehow, it must be from the inherent ingratitude of human nature, he never yet has thanked us as we imagine

we deserve. Still we persevere and only hope that when we are gone to " that bourne whence no traveller returns," that he will erect a statue to our memory in a promiuent place say on the Old Stump in front of the Commercial Hotel. Speaking of the Old Stump, I suppose that how it will soon be removed, as our councillor has after much exertion, succeeded in getting a promise of a grant to convert the present pack track into a dray road ; then won't we go it on our sulkies, several old Dobbins are for sale already, their place to be filled by thoroughbred Yankee trotters.

I suppose that we should go frantic lejoicing, now that the Railway Contract is an accomplished fact; like our good folk of Reefton, and then coolly ask the Council to pay the little score ; personally [ am very dubious as to the line coming down the Buller or Matakitaki, but to say that, of course is rank heresy. I was up the river about 20 miles the other day, and the country decidedly needs sandpapering or something doing to it to smooth it down. Speaking of the railway, alluvial and other miners should interview their respective members, and see, that if the land is to be given for constructing it, that the right to dig unmolested should he secured to them as it is at preseut; as it would be a national calamity if the company charged a heavy royalty on each claim, as you may be suie that they would do when the land was made over to it; it would then be beyond the power of the Government to interfere. The Grand Old Mau's cry that we are selling the birthright of posterity for a mess of pottage, is rather amusing when anyone comes to see the country, as most impartial travelers would say that the mess was a very dear price to pay. In short, if Mr Posterity wants his birthright he had better come and take it away as it is most confoundedly in the way of locomotion.

The approaches to the horse bridge are still where they where, that is non est. We were all joyfully expecting that they were to be started right off, but it seems that the Government Engiueer has to come and survey and report on the necessity of the work, and if it proceeds with that lightening celerity that maintains in all public works, we may expect to see it arrive—well, by the same ship that brings out the railway. Quid Nunc.