The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5. 1886.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 1, Issue 35, 5 October 1886, Page 2

The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5. 1886.

Thk llon. Mr Baixance, Minister for Lands, is expected to arrive in Pahiatua on Friday afternoon, and the question arises what shall we do with him ? The visit will be very opportune, as at the present time there are a number of important matters affecting the district os a whole that require bringing directly under the notice of a Minister of the Crown. Regarding the Poet Office question, although Mr Rallance may not have the control of tho Post and Telegraph Department, yet we bolievo be is the proper person to apply to for relief, as it is in connection with payments to the land revenue that the settlers are mostly inconvenienced, having to lose valuable timo in order to go to Woodvillo to make tLem. The question, then, of the establishment of proper postal and money order conveniences is one that might very well be brought under Mr Rallance’s notice, care being taken to lay the matter in a clear and concise form before him, so that there can be no possibility of his misunderstanding the position. Mr Ballance, having the interests of settlers at heart, will see at a glance that a great hardship has to be borne which is caused principally by his own department, and wo believe he will at once take some steps to assist us in procuring a Post Office of our own. It is useless again referring the matter to the Postmaster-General—his attention can only be attracted by largo railway schemes, and therefore such insignificant questions as the establishment of a Post Office at Fahiatua are left entirely in tlio hands of tho other Postmaster-General, Dr Lemon. Wc have had quite enough of the latter gentleman, and the surest way of getting satisfaction is by making Mr Ballance understand that settlers look to him to make some provision to enable them to pay the land revenue at Pahiatua. Of course those who have to make periodical payments on account of land are not the only ones that suffer, but wo have suggested the above as a very good reason why Mr Ballance's attention should be drawn to tlio advisability of at once establishing a proper Post Office in this township. The three-chain road through the district might also be enquired into, as it is clear to us that tho Government still retain tho right of dealing directly with two chums of the road. As far back as May, 1881, Mr Manns wrote to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, asking for permission to fence in and occupy a chain of road fronting his property, and received the following report from tho Undersecretary, Mr XL J. 11. Eliott:— “ The Gouernment has no objection to your making use of the road reserve which lies between tho existing road and the section you have taken up in the Pahiatua Block, on condition that you fell the bush without cost to the Government; and that no building or other improvement is placod upon tho land which will entitle you to any compensation. Also that you give up tlio portion of the road occupied by you at any time after receiving three months’ notice to do so, without any compensation whatever. This privilege will also be accorded to any of your neighbors in the block who may wish to occupy the unused road roservo on similar terms.” Acting upon this letter, settlers on the west side felled the bush and fenced a chain of the rood, which they have an indisputable claim to until such time as Government think proper to give three months' notice. Many were of opinion that the three-chain road was under the control of tlio County Council, but the above communication does not certainly imply that; therefore Mr Ballance's visit should be taken advantage of to ascertain all particulars connected with the road reserve, and what Government intend doing with it, seeing that it is no longer required for the purpose for which it was originally laid off, viz., the railway line. The main road question is a complicated one at tho present time, and no doubt the members of the Town Board will endeavour to gather as much information on this head as possible. It would not be amiss to put a few questions to Mr Ballance os to tlio intention of Government regarding the railway route from Eketabuua to Woodville. The plans of tlio various blocks of land that have been sold in the district have had the railway line shown upon them, and the conclusion come to is that Government shift the route for the purpose of si lling the land. The line was clearly shown down the throe-chain road when the Pahiatua land was sold, and many consider that Government has committed a serious breach of faith 111 allowing it to be removed. Now all plans of Crown lauds in the Mangal.ao and Mangalnmokr. arc made attractive with tiie railway line; still rumour hath it that even tins route will have to be abandoned, owing to its unsuitability. It would be mterveimg to know what will finally become of tinroute, if it is to U used as a sor, of

decoy. Perhaps Mr Ballance will be able to tell us our position regarding the railway. In our last issue we published a report of an interview between a deputation of Palmers; .ll gentlemen and Mr Ballance regarding the Pahiatua-Palmerston road, but tho Minister could give very little hope of the work being undertaken by Government ; nevertheless no harm would be done in bringing the matter indur bis notice again. The maintenance of main rn.ids is another important question, and if by any chance tiie Eketahuna and Pahiatua Road Boards could be entrusted with the control of the main road in their respective districts, some attempt should be made to have that power conferred on those bodies. There is no occasion to dwell on the absurbitv of tlio Wairarapa East County Council attempting the work—that is already too well known ; but the advisability of making an alteration in the present system of governing main roads should be strongly impressed on Mr Ballance. Besides the above, tbero is the important question of roads throughout the district, and as we understand the Minister of Lands intends making a stay of a few days in order to visit tho various blocks settled upon, it should not be a hard matter to convince him that through the absence of proper roads the bush settlers have had an exceedingly trying time. We trust that all matters of importance to tho district generally will be given prominence to, so that on again meeting his colleagues Mr Ballance will be able to truthfully say that Pahiatua is not receiving proper attention.

The Town Board have come to the conclusion that it will not be advisable to make any by-laws for the present, and give as a reason “ N T . S. F.” We sympathise with the Board, but at the same timo we think that a little more thought should have been given to tho question of revenue before an attempt was made to establish a Town District. It was stated that about £7O would bo due to the Board on account of deferred thirds on Messrs Manns,' Burrows,’ and Wakeinans' sections ; but it now transpires that the money was paid to the Road Board some time ago, and it is very doubtful if a penny of it will be returned. Messrs Briggs and Gibbs, just before tbe establishment of the Board, paid to the Customs the sum of £lO for an auctioneers' license, which has passed into the hands of the County County. This money legally belongs to tbe Town Board; but bow much of it will ever be seen ? These are matters that should have been enquired into immediately it was contemplated forming a Town District, for we presume those who had it in hand were aware that tho above payments were necessary to give the Board a start. But everything appears to have been delayed until the last moment, and when application was made tbe reply came —“ too late, the money has gone.” The Board is in the happy position of not possessing a shilling, and the only prospect it has of raising a few pounds is in the rate which it purposes striking. This, however, cannot bo done immediately, as tho Governor has to be appealed to for an extension of time, tbe Board having come into existence after the period prescribed by law for tbe rate to be struck. Under the c.ircumstancos perhaps the Board is wise not to go to the expense of making all the by-laws ; but, as we have before pointed out, revenue is likely to bo lost in various ways through not having them. There is nothing to prevent persons putting up any description of building they please along the main road ; and those who have taken the precaution to roof with iron will have to take their chance of others building close to them and putting on shingle. However, nothing can be done until the Board is in funds, and it is very difficult to say when that will be.