WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 485, 17 December 1879, Page 2

WAVERLEY.

(From our own Correspondent.) December, 15. I have often been at a loss to understand why those who take public matters in hand here; make such a secret of what they do. The general way is for one or two who are interested to call a public meeting, make it as little public as possible, anangc before band, and bo sure of having sufficient of their own party there to carry out their own views ; get appointed to do certain tilings, and then the matter is a secret to the public at large. Not another word transpires of what is being done, the matter being guarded as a treasure. Why this secrecy ? Surely the public are entitled to know what is being done in their behalf. But no, only once let them get appointed to act, and they do act, the result being that the majority of the public are hoodwinked, For instance, the bone of contention at present is the Town Hall reserve. The country settlers want it vested in trustees, and the majority of the townsfolk want it vested in the Local Board. A public meeting was called to arrange the yearly management, and any other business that might bo brought before it. Only' about six or seven attended that meeting, yet it was decided by those present that certain gentlemen be recommended to the Government for the purpose of being appointed trustees ; but, as it appears, this reserve has been promised to the local Boatd, and the ratepayers of the local district feel indignant at the idea of losing the reserve, the result being that one or two of the townsfolk took the trouble to get r.p a petition, which was signed by about fifteen ratepayers, and forwarded it to our members in Wellington, requesting them to get the reserve vested in the local Board as promised. How the matter will end is not known to any one, and not likely to be till it appears m the Government Gazette , for the reason above stated. But why this secrecy ? If it was the wish of the majority of the ratepayers, there would he no necessity toi it ; but from what I can learn, it is not the wish of the ratepayers of the local district tiiat it should be vested in trustees, more especially as the majority of those nominated are not ratepayers of the local district, and it would be manifestly unjust to take away from

the control of the local Board the manage : meat of any reserves that are situated within the boundaries of that district. The topic of the week has been, who shall we have for a J.P. From a country point of view, there is no one in the township qualified to hold the position, consequently we imist go to the country for one, or do without. Two gentlemen have been mentioned as likely to stand iOr the office, blit whether the Government would think it advisable to appoint another country J.P. or not, remains to he seen. Nevertheless, if either of those named should bo appointed, it would be a great convenience to the townsfolk. Since writing the foregoing, it is rumored that the gentlemen recommended to tho Governor to he appointed a Local Board, are to he gazetted this week, and that the Town Hall reserve and the Town Belt are to be vested in that body.