THE MASTERTON BANQUET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4314, 18 January 1875, Page 3

THE MASTERTON BANQUET.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—X was glad to observe by a local In this morning's paper that the Provincial Government intend to mark the fords over the dangerous rivers between the Paknratahi Hill and the Manawatu Elver, which by-thc-bye should have been done long ago. Yesterday morning’s paper gave us a glowing account ol the festivities occasioned by the opening of the Te Ore Ore bridge—" a work of a colonial character," and a very important and valuable one no doubt to the settlers In that locality. But why. Sir, the driving of first piles, opening of bridges, and so forth, should so frequently no made the occasion for champagne lunches, I, for one, cannot see. Doubtless, it affords our public men, our Superintendents to wit, an opportunity of making the colony acquainted with their views on the affairs of the day; likewise our lesser guns. Provincial Secretaries, M-P.C.'s, and snob like. But, Sir, one cannot help thinking that • a good deal of public money is squandered in connection with theso festive gatherings, a portion of which would go some way In improving our roads, bridges, and culverts, in localities which though they may he too inaccessible to allow of tho presence of dignitaries on the occasion of the opening of their bridges or culverts, equally deserve and demand attention. Take for Instance the roads between Masterton and Castle Point, which •a winter or two ago were In a dreadful state. Anyone who lias gone overland from Wellington to Napier in winter, via Masterton and the East Coast; must have a lively recollection of those roads and of tho rivers on tho coast. No direction is given by signboards or other means as to where those rivers are io be crossed, and a person travelling for tho first time along this way, runs considerable risk of drowning, notably in tho Mataiknna. The expense of erecting fin"er-pO'!ts or signboards would not bo great; the price of a few dozen of gooseberry wine would do it. —T have, &C-, Viator. January 10, [Our correspondent is In error regarding the expenditure, which appears to bo the strong point of his letter. Tho Superintendent was the guest of the Masterton settlers, and snrely they have a right to entertain whom they please I If the public money had been spent in tills way, doubtless there would be room to complain ; but social gatherings like the one at Masterton are creditable to any district in which they may be hold. We hope the Provincial Government will take tho hint regarding the necessity for marking the crossings on all dangerous rivera which cannot presently bo bridged.—Ed. N.Z.T.I