THE OTHER SIDE.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 367, 23 October 1878, Page 2

THE OTHER SIDE.

(To the Editor of the Patka Mail.}

Sir, — In your issue of the 19th instant, there appears a letter signed by Mr 0. E. Gibson, of Nonnanb}’, in which he in a very fair and open manner, places before the public what he, and apparently his friends and neighbours, consider a sore grievance, relating to the position adopted by the Government for the railway station at Norman by. As I am alluded-to in the letter, and, in common with some others, do not agree with all Mr Gibson says, I will endeavour with your permission, to place before the public the opposite side of the question, and, in doing so, I hope to be as moderate and urbane in my remarks as the author of the letter in question. In order to explain the question to those who are but little acquainted with the situation and proportions of the town of Normanby, including the extension made by Messrs Thomson and McGuire, I will state, that as a whole, it lies between three roads which form three sides of a parallelogram, the other side being bounded by land belonging to a private individual. Roughly speaking the Town is square, and the line of railway as laid out by the Government, before Normanby became a township, cuts this square diagonally from corner to corner. At the S. E. corner, near to which is the railway station, two of the roads, one from Hawera to New Plymouth, and the other from the country inland of Hawera to Waihi, with a branch to Wannate Plain, intersect each other, forming cross roads. The railway line crosses these roads, at their intersection with the Mountain Road beside it, thus funning the junction of no less than live roads from the surrounding country. This alone is a great advantage over the site of which Air Gibson speaks, as there only three roads meet—one of which is from the Waimate Plain, which, although it contains most beautiful and fertile land, it is well to remember is not yet cultivated, nor indeed in the bands of those who are the natural developers of such country ; whereas tiie roads meeting at the other point, all lead from land more or less cul livated.

Another point is, that as there is almost sure to be a branch line of railway constructed through the Wairnate country, the traffic along the roads leading to it will not be so extensive as might at first bo supposed. No -one will deny that, at the present ttme, a Post and Telegraph office in the centre of the now inhabited part of the town would ho more convenient to the residents, and to the public generally, than if erected on the land chosen for a railway station ; but when tire towii increases in size, which it is sure to do before long, the convenience of the greatest number of inhabitants should be considered, and I am mistaken in my anticipations if the site of the Railway station will not then bo as convenient, as any other available position. As a matter of fact I may state that the land given by Messrs Thomson and McGuire is nearer the middle of the town, than the site on Mr Brett's land.

Mr Gibson would attribute a meaning to the word “ extension,” which it was never in this instance intended to imply, but, nevertheless, I will accept his proposition, *• that people who know nothing of the place, mighc think Normanby was really extending in that direction.” Now I will ask you and your readers to believe me, when I say that the principal business premises in the town, of which Mr Gibson’s store is an important member, are built at the extreme north-west corner of the township, so much so indeed, that the store at whichH.M.Mails are received and delivered, is not in the town at all. Four-fifths at least, of the sections in Normanby, are towards the railway station from this point, and most of thorn are private property, many in the hands of settlers, who will build sooner or later on them, whereas in the direction referred to by Mr Gibson, there is at present no inducement offered to people to purchase small sections, on which they might make improvements. I would point out to Mr Gibson one material difference in the course pursued by Mr Brett, and that taken by Messrs Thomson and McGuire. The first gentleman offered an undefined piece of land for a railway station, without shewing, so far as I know, that he would cut up the adjoining land for a township, whereas, the latter gentlemen submitted to the authorities a definite plan of their township, with ample and convenient accommodation for a railwaj' station, at the same time that their offer was made, and laid out their land accordingly, showing, I think, that they at least would place in the way of the public'every convenience for obtaining both business sites and suburban residences. With regard to the statement that Mr Gibson and his coadjutatorsfeel aggrieved that Government did not send an Engineer to inspect the sites and consult with them, I can inform you that it is not usual for engineers to be sent by Government to consult with townspeople on subjects of the kind, as that might bias their opinions, and really forms no part of their profession. Ido not mean that an Engineer is to shut his ears and eyes to what he could learn, but that it is his duty to look at all sides of the question, and take a broad view of it, extending as far as possible into the future.

With the statement that the Government contented themselves with the opinion of a gentleman largely employed by Messrs Thomson and McGuire, I roust confess I am astonished, and at the same time feel flattered, first, because I did not think the Government would have taken my unsupported opinion, and, having done so, lay themselves open to the charge, by informing Mr Gibson of their proceedings ; and secondly, flattered, because I am evidently the person referred to. It is very sad to think (if one really can do so) that “ the prosperity of a whole community” has been blighted at one “ fell swoop,” by those whosedhties are of an almost paternal nature. But this is only the lachrymose philosophy of disappointment, and I sin-

cerely hope soon to see the joyous smiley and hear the 'hearty laughter, which always accompanies the prosperous pioneers of civilisation;

In conclusion, I trust that any difference in opinion which may exist between rad and my friends, may be discussed in a fair and open spirit; and that in go doing I shall not in any way weaken those feelings which I very highly prise. Apologising for encroaching so far ori your space.—l am; &c., C. W. H U RSTIIOU3B. Hawera; 21st October, 1878.