OTAKI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 75, 20 May 1879, Page 2

OTAKI.

(from a correspondent.)

At present the all-absorbing matter (par. ticularly amongst the Maoris) is road making, about whioh there is considerable jealousy and ill-feeling, whioh has oulrainated in their publicly deolai'ing that the public road now being made from this village to join the inland road to Foxton shall not be proceeded with, until they have a proper understanding with the County Council, as it is generally felt thai an unfair advantage is being taken of the general body by a few of their young leading chiefs.

At the last Highway Board meeting, several Maoris tendered for making nine ohains of a street road, and owing to the tender of Mr Bevan for the same amount per cha ; n being taken in preference to theirs, they now refuse to allow him or any other European to take any gravel from the river bed for road purposes. Tt is expected that after time is allowed for the disapappointment to pass off, they will become more reasonable.

The Ota ki Working Men's Club is quiejly breaking up, and the membeia are falling back into the habit of passing their eveaia^s in or about the hotel, which is certainly not an improvement. The steward, Langley. was, immediately after his last breach of the rules, prohibited by the Committee from serving any of the members with any alcoholic drink until the prohibition was removed by the Committee, which has not yet come about. In faot, the Club must break up, as some of the members have not paid their monthly subscriptions for several month?. I be'ieve it is the wish of the intelligent portion of the members that the Club should be closed until oiroumstances admit of its being carried on properly. At present it ia nearly deserted.