OCCASIONAL LETTER.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 99, 26 September 1918, Page 2

OCCASIONAL LETTER.

The Red Cross campaign is ended, for the time being at least, and probably not one resident of the county will be sorry. The eight weeks carnival was strenuous indeed, and for the prominent workers has necessitated a respite from ordinary activities. Despite this fact, however, it was really surprising to the writer to hear that patriotic work for the future had been mapped out while the carnival was in progress. If information is correct the indefatigable lady workers now have in mind a soldiers' Christmas gift scheme —that is, to provide gifts to district soldiers serving at the front. Matamata did well in connection with the Red Cross appeal, there can be no doubt", and to the coming appeal, although it will not be so heavy a drain, there will be a great response. And, after all, we're lucky to be bore and able to give, aren't wo ? Has it occurred to you that right through the carnival the ladies who were collecting the stray silver, and working at most of the functions, have been "carrying on" their Red Cross work also. The usual Red Cross parcels have been packed; pyjamas, shirts, etc., have been cut out, and at afternoon tea the sewing machine has been going just the same as it has since the boys first commenced to leave. We take it that this is general throughout the country, and yet we hear the remark often passed, " We don't know that there's a war on." Man is a hardened creature, but women will be women for all time, despite suffragettes, and she will work her fingers to the bone for her sons, and those she loves. New Zealand women are far away from the scenes of activity; they cannot work at munitions; but, although they attempt to hide it under a cloak of laughter and joviality,their hearts are wholly in the great cause of righteousness. That is why their sons are there, and that is also the reason that they will not hear of a peace without victory. They are bearing their trials without complaint, and working always to assist in alleviating the sufferings of theirs out there. So that, when future appeals are made it will have to be remembered that woman is not begging, but is working for her Empire and the good there is in the world. Man that has will raise his hat in honor with one hand, and dive the other into bis pocket for the wherewithal to pay. The differences of opinion as to the value of land in the vicinity of Matamata is often remarked upon. It has been so right through the Thames Valley for years and years. The other day the writer met a man, who about two and a half years ago had sold his farm at Matamata for something in the vicinity of £2O per acre, and had gone away well satisfied, and was still satisfied, and had never even re-visited the district and had devoted his energies into a different sphere to farming. He said the best thing ever he did was to leave Matamata, as, since, he had made £2OOO clear. We asked whether he had made his farm pay when he had it, and he replied that he had made about £2OO a year clear from his operations here, had employed a man, and had been improving the farm all the time. To another query he replied that he thought the farm should bring about £3O per acre now. His surprise was great when he was told that the present owner had only to put up his finger to get £4O and was asking £45. On the former figures he would have been making just about £4,500 by staying instead of the £2OOO. The moral is this, that there are yet great possibilities in Matamata land, which has not yet come into its own. The recent free donations to the Red Cross have shown that on present land prices the farms are paying. The land in parts of the Matamata county is not yet half developed, and provides great opportunities for farmers. Rutaruru, for instance, is coming. One of these days we will wake up and find that the Taranaki man has transformed that district, and incidentally put himself well in the way of retiring to New Plymouth, or Remuera. At Manavvaru, near Te Aroha, six miles off the railway, land is bringing from £SO to £6O per acre. It has to receive similar treatment to Matamata land, and yet prices within a mile of the Matamata township are no higher. It would appear to us that buyers here even now are quite alright, providing they can put down some cash. Once again the monstrousness of those who sought, and are still seeking world-power, has been brought forcibly home to Matamata residents. During the past few weeks, in going forward to fight for all that is right in the world, Matamata boys have made the supreme sacrifice. No

more will their smiling faces be seen in their homeland, or home county. Their deaths are our loss not theirs —they will surely reap the Great Reward. Meanwhile, what are we doing to keep their memory green for the young folk—those who will bo the future citizens? After the war something will doubtless be done in the way of erecting a monument, but meanwhile may we suggest that the Town board unveil a roll of honor ? For the time being this would serve instead of a monument, and also be the means of providing a complete record. This paragraph is reiterating a little something which was published in the " Record " nearly two years ago. Then we did not have a controlling body nearer than Cambridge. Now that we have a town board, the matter of obtaining a record, for the Matamata riding at least, should not be difficult. " TREBLA."