THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 1 September 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Justices of The Peace. A lengthy list ol' newly created justices of the peace has just been gazetted. Included among the number arc a considerable number residing in various parts of this district —Mimakail, Ohau, Levin, Ihakara, and .'shannon —but, strange to say, there has been no addition to the list in Otaki | where additional justices, are urgently required in the public interest. In , many towns of New Zealand justices of the peace are us common as peas. whil« ip Otiiki they are few and far between —so scarce that much public inconvenience is frequently caused by the difficulty in securing signatures for documents,'and in filling the bench for police court cases. For some unaccountable reason the “powers that be” l apparently arc not disposed to fill this urgent need at Otaki. The reasons for this it would be interesting to ascertain. It has frequently been said that the honour of being created a justice of the peace is a reward for political favours shown for assisting in the return of a representative of the “right colour. ” The grave charge of failurein this respect cannot be preferred against Otaki residents, for our local M.P. is a supporter of the present Government. Therefore we muse seek some other reason. Have we not suitable citizens? Surely! To our knowledge representations have been made by the present member (Mr Field) in this matter, and certain names have been suggested as those of fit and proper persons to be made justices, yet the authorities continue to disregard the wishes of the public. This is a most extraordinary state of affairs, and we trust that Mr Field will not quietiv submit to have the convenience of his constituents thus slighted. Since the above was in type we have been assured that several loc-al residents who •were approached with a view to being placed on the list of justices declined the honour, so possibly the citizens are also to blame. Surely, however, we have sufficient public-spirited men to fill these important positions if only approached! Peace Memorial For Otaki District. The magnificent offer of three donations of £250 each from the members of one family for the proposed erection c* municipal buildings in Otaki a» a peace memorial should prove a splendid stimulus to the public, and assure the success oi the project. The -scheme is as yet somewhat indefinite. Rough plans and estimates are to be secured, and details gone into by a sub-com-mittee. after which they will be submitted to the committee, and then placed before a public meeting. The present proposal, in the rough, is to erect a two-storied brick er concrete building 'on the magnificent comer section owned by the Otaki Town Board, the building to ~ comprise fsaanig.tgg.l chambers, public offices, public readingroom, library, conveniences, etc., on the

ground' floor, billiard saloon, social hall, etc.* upstairs. The suggestion is that the building be designed with a vestibule, making provision for the erection of tablets or plates containing the names of every soldier from the Otaki district who gave his life during the great war.. Such a building would bo a magnificent and fitting memorial, and, at the same time, a great acquisition to the town and district. The Town Board badly wants proper office accommodation, while the public readingroom in such a central position would be a boon to all, and would be equally appreciated by visitors and town residents. The proposed billiard-room and recreation room is suggested to provide recreation for our returned soldiers and other young men, who at present have very little to occupy them during the evenings. The proposed scheme is a big one, but if a peace memorial is erected it should be one worthy of the district and of the great event we seek to commemorate. We feel convinced that the Otaki and district residents will rise to the occasion, and give their hearty cooperation to help bring this proposal to a successful issue. If we set our minds we can carry the scheme through, and a few more liberal donations like those already announced would assure the success of the venture. As soon as the committee has definitely considered the details, a public meeting will be called, and a detailed scheme for raising the funds will be submitted.