The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, October 25, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 909, 25 October 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, October 25, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Rua, the Urewera Maori prophet, was recently reported to be spending large sums of money in a northern township. An Auckland telegram states that the “prophet” has received from the Government, as agent for some 90,000 or 100,000 acres of land, no less than ,£69,000, Rua has since had a big buying order placed in Auckland. He has arranged for the erection of a dozen houses at his settlement at Kuatere, and has purchased 20 head of cattle, carts, horses and implements. It is also stated that Rua has ten other blocks for sale. Apparently there is nothing of the taihoa policy in reference to land settlement about Rua. We would suggest that Rua be employed by the Government to settle the Maori waste lands trouble. We believe he could accomplish more in six mouths than the Native Department will do in six years. The “ prophet’s” mana is apparently great not only with the Maoris, but also with the Government. Fancy disposing of upwards of xoo.ooo acres of laud without any fuss. Rua puts Timi Kara to shame.

In conversation with a local butcher, we were informed that he would be pleased to lend assistance to the local authority towards the erection of abbatoirs for Foxton. He is also of opinion that the cost of erection would not be a burden upon ratepayers, as the fees to be paid by butchers would be ample to provide interest and sinking fund on the outlay. He said the buildings need not be on an elaborate scale. He is of the opinion that Foxton’s population demands something more modern than at present obtains and added that every beast killed for human consumption should be inspected by an expert, the Government pro' vide men for this purpose. It would not in his opinion impose any hardship upon butchers.

Many other important points were discussed which make it apparent that it would be in the best interest of all concerned if the Council took the suggestion into serious consideration.

FoxtCOK is long-suffering in respect to the appointments of its public buildings. After much agitation, in which this paper played no inconsiderable part, a new and well-appointed post office was erected ; the court-house was renovated, and we have been promised a verandah at the local railway station. The ancient and worm-eaten ramshackle that does duty for the statioumaster’s residence should be condemned and a new building erected. If what we are told is true concerning this old structure, we should not advise our new stationmaster to place any furniture in the building unless it is constructed of worm-proof timber. Of course the public is not concerned to any great extent about the stationmaster’s residence, but in view of the fact that the local railway centre is such a handsome revenue-producing concern, it is only fair that the department should expend a little in erecting a sanitary and modern dwelling for its officer and not condemn him to live in the present insanitary dwelling.