Mustard and Cress.

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 15, 22 November 1904, Page 2

Mustard and Cress.

A short trip to town convinces us that country life is almost perfect. The dirt, rush and roar, and filth-impregnated atmosphere of Auckland were a contrast to the sweetness and purity of Mangonui (not that this township is "always odourless), and we are glad to be back. It may be that country life docs not contain the feverish joys of the town, but, glancing at humanity in Auckland, one cannot but conclude that the inhabitants appear puny as compared with their country brothers. Certainly concerts, plays and other amusements are plentiful in town, but have we not the Snowflake Minstrels in Mangonui ?

Writing of the Snowflake Minstrels recalls tlieir advertising- ability: ‘ The sketchist who so ably drew the poster notices,, in this connection, deserves high compliment. We understand that a gentleman on the Cable Station staff is responsible for these drawings; It ia surely a case of wasted ability at the end of a telegraph wire! If the minstrelsy be half as good as the artistic advertisements it must surely be worth hearing.

Free railway passages indeed! When will the impudence of the townspeople cease ? The labour report for October suggests, nay urges, that the State railways should be run free* for passenger transit, the expenses to be - taken-frbrn 1 the general revenue. No sane government would adopt, such a '(course,, but the suggestion proves the absurd length to which some people w r ill go in urging their own requirements. We, iii the Fafc North, have no railways, and are noV likely ever to possess any, and that it should even be suggested that we should contribute to the upkeep of railways, for the flee use of more favored colonists, is supreme in its absurdity. The North contributes more towards the revenue than any other specified qiart. of New Zealand, and in return it receives scant notice and less money.

We are glad to hear that the , Shops and Offices Act is galling the pteople. Labour asked for this Act, and the town representatives insisted cm its. necessity. The country members of Parliament saved the out districts from this iniquitous measure, but allowed the cities to enjoy the experiment. It is a pleasure to watch labour legislation hampering the labouring classes, provided . always that this does not too much hinder capital. ‘ With strict inspection—and unrelenting enforcement of the law—the Shops and Offices Act should prove a thorn in the side of the cities of the Colony ; -a veritable sword in the body .pi th<? labour party which occasioned it.

We noticed, some little time back/that a fine of £SO had been inflicted for dummyism at a land ballot. The ballot system, for the purpose , of allptfimg sections, is objectionable in tlie' £xtreiu6i 1 The would-be settler, who particularly desires a certain OrowA *■ land section, feels that the chances, of obtaining possession are greatly agaiiftrt him.,. The temptation to get the help of a nirVhber of friends, and thus increase his chances, is very great. Where no consideration passes this writer sympathises with dummyism at land ballots, and .so long as tliis objectionable method of land allotment is in vogue, so long will this illegal course be pursued by those who really desire to. “ go on the land.”

The little controversy, between “A Ratepayer” and the County Chairman' has proved quite interesting reading. At the commencement the Chaiinmp seemed to take the discussion 'seriotisly, arid “ A Ratepayer ” —under cover of his penname—wrote freely and careless of fact. The last letter from the County Chairman discloses an unlooked-for and quite a new side to Mr. Wilkinson’s character. We could scarcely believe that- ujicUr • thy. quiet manner, which Mr. Wilkinson'assumes, could be hidden a facetious, jocularly epigrammatic and sarcastic power. Mr. Wilkinson’s last effort .with the pen behoves us to be careful Vot t-o. cross swords (or pens) with so ferocious a literary opponent. i

Now that the fate of, the proposed Kaitaia County is decided (it was evident from the beginning tliaj there was no chance of separation) perhaps,it « -would be well to point out what might be a happy solution of all Cobnty difficulties. If the Mangonui, Wlmngaroa, Hokianga, and Bay of Islands Counties were combined, with one administration, this writer believes that there would be a distinct and appreciable improvement in County matters. There is too much- of the personal element in Connte management at present, not only in this County, hut in all the local bodies of the Colony. An increased area, with a representation less restricted in its interests, would be of inestimable value. With one county, from Bay of Islands to the North Cape, eveiy possible requirement for administration couid be obtained, and officers could be paid in accordance with their work and qualifications. At least no member of Council would merely be representative of the only Jones ana his gate post, and broad-minded consideration for the general welfare would be more usual than at present.

One reason for the unsatisfactory state of County roads seems to have been overlooked by councillors and ratepayers alike. . The supreme object of County administration should be the making and upkeep of the one main road in the Mangonui County. We refer to the road from Awanui to Kaitaia' and thence via Fairburn to Mangonui. In this writer’s opinion no by-road should receive any consideration until this main work is completed. Again, metalling should commence, at each end, where the metalled road now ceases, and no consideration of personal interests should lead to the sanction of wqrk in the eenjye portions of the unmetalled road. It is to the interests of the whole County that this work should be taken in hand and completed as promptly as possible. However much we may sympathise with settlers not resident on tliis main line of road, we maintain that, whatever inconvenience is caused to such, the ftompletiOn of the main road is of the first importance. Furtbep, every penny which; is. frittered aw r ay on by-roads is so much money wrested, in so far as the Connty as a whole is concerned. By continued effort, in one direction only, can this County hope to effect an appreciable im-

provement in its roads ; and ! H road should come first, at whati ||fii lice to all the others. |§Bsjj * j 1 There is one alternative to tin t Kaitaia, via Fairburn, Mango/.ul that is the metalling of the new ’ - \ alloy road. If it can be shown i j|||||| Victoria Valley road, can be coin, metalled more cheaply and more qi than the Fairburn road, then the Hi road should hi* taken via Victoria Va WIn the interest# of the Fairburn Cream Wy it would be necessary to show a veiy mil* saving in time and expense before ffhe County could approve of the Victr/ria Valley deviation, but there is a possibility that such might be the case. This/ is a -Question which calls_for prompt enquiry and close attention. , • SIDNEY HERBERT.