NGAPARA

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 15 July 1880, Page 2

NGAPARA

(from a correspondent.) July 13. That our town is making rapid stridos in the way of advancement is quite apparent from the hasty manner in which budding after building is being constructed. The past month has seen tho completion of two suoh, and there is every probability of many others going up in quick succession during tho ensuing months, I think lam not far wrong in stating that for the past four years this town has gone ahead as much as any other inland town in the South Island, and should no unforeseen circumstances arise to retard its onward progress, I have not the least hesitation in asserting that aok many years hence it outrival in prosperity many an older town in the province. Since the s\Q<je?sion of Mr. Walker to the office of local constable, unremitting I order is prevalent in the town, I inebriates, which were at one time a prolific , source of annoyance to the inhabitants, I are no longer to be seen indulging in their drunken revels, thanks to tho peaoe-pre» \ serving ability of the ahoye gentleman and the rigorous measures he has taken in ex* tirpatjng this worst of all evils, which was becoming firmly implanted in our midst. The departure of Mr. J. J. Atkinson, stationmaster, from here, has oast quite a gloom over the township and district. Alas ! for Ngapara and its public institutions ; the loss they have sustained through his removal is irreparable. During his sojourn here ho was indefatigable in hn efforts to promote the welfare of thft town. Ere his debut among u# we wevo a benighted people, wallowing fa the of ignorance, with lethargic minds almost dopmant, and totally incapable of aspiring tp aught that would tend to ameliorate mir pitiable condition. But aoon the bril}i;inc.o of his admirable* genius irradiated our obgQiwd minds, and created a desire theroin to achieve a name for our town that would bo instrumental in obtaining for it a plaoo in tho future annate of Now Zealand. To him is to be attri* butod the honor of bringing into existence our public baths an 4 band . and many other valuable*, additions to our town, of whtah we feel justly proua.

And what recompense did we make him for his unparalleled kindness. Oh! r knw that I should have to record that he was refused a supper on the eve of his departure, although he intimated to several of the residents how much such a thing would meet with hi 3 approval. And now the testimonial about which we have heard and read so much is lying here at Mr. I. Ardagh's, and it i 3 dubious if he will have the satisfaction of being presented with it, unless he is willing to pay what the getting up of it cost, as no person here seems willing to pay it. It also appears that we are to sustain another los 3 in a few days through the departure of another of our respected citizens. I refer to Mr. D. Barry, a gentleman whose complacent manner, and > social disposition greatly endeared him to his fellow-residents. I believe it is his intention to retire from public business altogether, having, during his stay here, amassed sufficient to enable him to spend the remainder of his life in happiness and ease. The idea is entertained by many of the residents to get up a supper and ball in honor of him ere he leaves. I trust the promoters will see that it is successfully carried out, as he is in every sense of the word worthy such an honor. There does a grievance exist here at the present time about which some of the residents complain, and not, I think, without some show of reason. It is the manner in which the town becomes partly submerged after a few hours' rain. This arises principally through the diversion of the water flowing in the Waiareka Creek from its natural course, and thereby causing it to flow through the town in the most alarming manner. During the late heavy rainfall the construction of rafts was contemplated by those of a timid nature among us, so as to be able to save their lives in the event of their fears being realised. Seriously speaking, I think it is time either the Board or Council should take some steps to remedy thi3 evil, for besides the fact that it makes it next to impossible for pedestrians to travel, it may at any time occasion serious loss to some of the inhabitants by damaging their property. TJntil recently the weather experienced here was most miserable. All traffic had to be suspended, and it is only within the la3t week that it was resumed. At present the weather is rather cold—a bitter wind blowing through the day, while sharp frost 3 are experienced at night. However, I think it will be but of short duration, for as I write there is an indication of a change.