MOTUEKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 196, 18 August 1880, Page 2

MOTUEKA.

[from a correspondent.] The depressed state of the colony is making itself felt even here in many ways. Eiret

we have the reduction of all salaries irrespective of circumstances, even so far as to affect the messenger in the .Telegraph Office, who has hitherto been receiving the munificent remuneration of jE36 per annum for eight hours work per day, from which £3 12s is now to be deducted. Telegrams, too, are increased 50 per cent in many offices. What would Sir Rowland Hill have ;thought of this after his experiences of the penny post? I think the revenue would have stood a better cbance of increasing had the telegraph rate been decreased rather tban made higher in price. Well, in consequence of this unfortunate want of money, tho Highway Board of Motueka seems about to become a thing of the pa&fc. The sub-district of Riwaka has already sent a memorial to the Governor praying to be severed from thafc Board, and a. meeting was held here tonight, when the following resolutions were carried unanimously :— (I.) That iv the opinion of this meeting ifc is desirable that the sub-district of Motueka should form a separate Highway Board, and that His Excellency the Governor be respectfully requested to declare ifc such in accordance with j the provisions of the Nelaon Highway Act, 1872; (2.) That this meeting is of opinion that, viewing the financial position pf the , colony, tbe Waimea Couuty Council should reduce their working expenditure as much as possible, in order to meet existing circumstances, tt was further proposed and seconded that a copy of the first resolution and memorial Bhould be fofwarded to Mr Hursthouse, the member for Motueka, for presentation, also thafc a copy of the second resolution Should be sent to the Chairman of the Waimea County Council. I suppose the memorial will be Bigned aud forwarded as soon as possible.— We have many evidences of the spring having set in after a very mild winter. The Motueka river has been higher during the last month than it was for some time before the bridge was built,bdfc much less inconvenience has been felt in consequence of that means of traffic. The Pangatotara schoolroom is almost disused on account of the river, and must soon be removed to some other part of the valley in order that the children may derive the benefit of it. The telegraph line to Takaka is now near completion, bnt the contractors must have made very little by their work in consequence of the Very wet weather they have experienced. Ifc ia to be hoped thafc the road will also be put in a fit state for traffic as soon a 9 possible, especially as Motueka and tho Collingwood County are now to form one electoral district. Motueka, August 16.