CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 45, 14 July 1914, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

i SOMETHING PERSONAL. I (To the Editor.) j Sir, —A correspondent in your columns | a little while back, signing himself "I'ani | Johens," not being able to substantiate j his statements, now evidently thinks lie | can continue his method of intimidation I other than through the press, for I have just received a letter from him in which he breathes all sorts of threats of what lie will or won't do. Poor old chap. I'm always sorry for individuals who lhave let the practice of. anonymity (in all sorts of shapes) debase their better nature. I'm thinking, Mr. Editor, of asking the authorities of Porirua to call the roll to see if any of their charges are missing. If that isn't the ease, then it'? time Mfr. Ilcrdman instructed liis department to look after the individual in question. Really, the epistle received by me is funny, but only an irrational being, or. one closely approaching that stage, would attempt to pen such as was sent to me. There is one little feature I must not omit, and it is this: after proceeding' with a good deal of abuse and threats as to what will happen if I do not obey "his orders," lie concludes, "yours to command, Paul Johens." Well, well; if I am "to com--mand" I .straightway order him to consult a doctor as soon as possible. As I was "ordered," per the letter, to reply through the News, I crave yoair indulgence, Mr. Editor, though I would much rather devote my evenings to better doings thian replying to the ravings of one who is clearly not in possession of his wits,—l am, etc., . ■ JOE B. SIMPSON. July 9, 1914. MERGER PORTION 01? MOA ROAD DISTRICT. Sir, —From the discussion that aross at the last meeting of the Taranaki County Council, I gather from Cr. Hopson's remarks that he suspects Cr. Morton as being the originator of the movement. Cr. Hopson can dismiss that impression from his mind at once, as I was the person that initiated this matter, and Cr. Morton had absolutely nothing whatever to do with it other than signing the petition for merger wlhcn I presented it to him for signature and then did not even express himself either way on the matter. I had nothing to do with the petition from ratepayers below the Junction road; my object was to merge the portion between the Junction'road and the mountain; but some of the ratepayers below the Junction road could see the advantage of being under the county and also petitioned to be merged. I have been a ratepayer of the Kaimiro district for over twenty years, and X was utterly sick of the mismanagement and antiquated methods adopted by the Moa ' Road Board in maintaining the roads 111 that district.. Look at the Lepper and Egiiwmt roads to-day, and what are they? I am pleased to see the attitude adopted bv the Chairman of the TaranaM Council, Mr. Ji seph Brown. Hi* l method" are straight, his judgment good, and he endeavours to do the best for the. niajority of the ratepayers. The part in connection with this merger that puzzles me most is why two members of the Moa Road Board, Mr. M. Hopson and Mr. ,T. Williams, should interest themselves so much in the matter as to go around ivith petitions for signature against the merger. I can't quite reconcile Cr. Hopson's attitude on this matter, ax there has been a great many mergers taken place in the Taranaki County, and never before have T noticed where Cr. Hopson has raised his voice against the steps. It's a good move, ratepayers; go aliead with it] and don't let it rest until it is merged.—l am, etc., B. GOPPEUTH, Senr. 212 Powderhain Street, New Plymouth.