CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 312, 2 October 1875, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

; o ; —— Our columns are open for free discussion; but we do not hold ourselves responsiblefor the opinions of our Correspondents. . ’ ai : —— ’ TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable journal, for a few suggestions for the benefit of the district, now.that we ha'vfc a local member to represent us in the Provincial. Council, who is acquainted with dur requirements ? I’ should like to know what are his views in reference to the bridge over the Big Biver, and whether he intends to.advocate its erection this -summer; and what he is gojng to do about the Patutahi Block ? Will he allow the Provincial Government to sell it? — a proceeding which the inhabitants of Poverty Bay would deeply regret. My own opinion is that the General Government should dispose of this land for the sole benefit of the settlers of the district, .on the deferred payment system, one third of the money to be paid at the time of sale, and the remainder in two and five years. ' By adopting this system we would have bona fide settlers, and not land jobbers. I am also desirous of knowing whether the Government intend to metal our roads, erect a new Court House and a decent Block House; and and make other local improvements that are much needed; and' whether they intend to make grants to our country schools, and what they are going to do with the reserve at Makaraka? I should also like to krfow whether the Boad Board have assessed this reserve, and charged the Government with rates for the same ? A public slaughter house is much wanted and the Government ought to bear the expense of building one. Taking into consideration the large consumption of meat in the district, an annual revenue of not less than £l5O would be yielded by a proper slaughter house, which in my humble opinion, ought to be erceted on the Makaraka reserve, and as near the bank of the river as would admit of restdy flow into it of the drainage from ■ the establishment.—l am, &c., Progress. ' September 29, 1875.