LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 54, 21 May 1873, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —Moy ■!, through the Standard medium, draw attention to the very unsatisfactory state of Postal Regulation in Ormond. The Postoffice here<is a-sort of nondescript store, (always closed) and it is by the merest chance that the Postman is to be found at home. I can confidently assert that ra gentleman resident some miles inland sent forfius mail twice during last week without being able to get it, and appeared in propria penona the -third time to try again. I believe the perron .-at (present keeping the (so-called) office, declares that he is under-paid and that probably accounts for .the irregularity. • I think, sir, if the post-office were removed to the Chandos Hotel it would .give mace general satisfaction, hoping that the {proper authorities will see fit to consider this.—Yours, Ac.. .’SnrrsT Ormond, May 13,1873. ’T 'f* ; j — •; • i’r ■ - ;-j ■ Sib, —In your issue of Saturday last < noticed a letter signed J. E. Green, complaming nf the state of the approaches to the Ferry , at my place. I fully coincide with him aa.dar-ao* the approaches go, but when he speaks df the bed working of the Punt (evidently hitting at me) I must say that he has rather overshot the mark, as the Punt if worked as well as possible under existing circumstances; the break in the wire was unavoidable, as in the last 'heavy fresh I was obliged to cut it, in order to save the Punt from being washed aWky, by getting banked in the eddy alongside the bank.

Referring to what he says of the hurry of passengers “looking at watches, Ac.,” I would ray that but few ate possessed of that useful appendage, and but few have got the shilling to pay the ferryman. Such remarks as Mr. Green’s if allowed to go unnoticed would probably have the effect of deterring people-from travelling that way, and do me a serious injury which I must charitably hope he does not seriously intend. I am happy to say that the Engineer to the Road Board has taken the trouble to come down and see the punt, ro as to be in a position to give some suggestions as to inefficient working. By giving this a corner your valuable paper you will oblige.—Yours, Ac., O. Goldsmith. Big River Ferry, > May 13th, 1873. i ! \ ? ’ ———— 7 x Sib, —T read a letter in your paper some few weeks back suggesting the advisability of this district feging formed into a I had hoped that letter would have called forth some discussion on the subject, but as it *has not I add a few more words m the hope of hearing some arguments for or against. We all know we are subjected to great neglect under the Provincial system, owing to our being so far from the capital of our Province. But before asking to be allowed to take so important a step, we should consider well the pros and cons of the question, f And then, even if a large majority of settlers were in its favor, it is a question, in my' opinitm, if we should be allowed to do so. (The «county system in New Zealand not having been as successful as it was expected to be.) In -considering the question, the district ought to remember what the expense of a machinery for « county is likely to be, and what benefits are likely to accrue from such a step. For my own part I don’t think the expense of Government here (if formed into a county) could fairly be estiniited at less than £l,OOO per anfium. Of course we should receive our share of Customs, &c, without their being fingered by a Provincial, Government, but, beyond this, where are the benefits? Where is our land ? What little land the Government ever had here they have and are making away with as quickly as possible—and where are the proceeds ? This is indeed too bad—viz., that large sums should be extracted from us in the shape of proceeds from land, and little or nothing expended by Provincial Government. I must confess my ignorance as to the advantages or disadvantages connected with the county system, but should Kke to see the matter discussed thoroughly either through your journal or at a public meeting.' If the advantages adduced weighed heario* than the disadvantages, I would gladly support a petition to that effect, but although -an admirer of an independent spirit, I certainly think it would be foolish to forsake the paternal roof, until we see our way clear to a better loaf than the Provincial Government gives us. rl hope my fellow settlers who kno# the arguments of the question better than myself will give us all the benefit of their opinion.— lam,&c o Jas. W. Johnson.