RANGER FOR GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1496, 22 April 1886, Page 2

RANGER FOR GERALDINE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As Ihe general election . of members of the Geraldine Road Board will soon lake place, I would like tossy a few words on the subject of appointing a ranger, In my opinion to appoint a ranger would be a gre«t mistake. To do so would result in the innocent ipsa suffering, and the big trespasser going “ scot free.” There are many poor men in the district owning a few cows, and if a ranger were appointed it would mean that these men would be deprived, to a great extent, of the means of living. I cannot for the life of me see what harm a cow or two can do on the back roads wli<re there is scarcely no traffic, ; In fact, I think it is much better that.the gruss should be eaten down than'-aliow-W it to ( verrnn the roads. I hear a great deal about a man proposing the appointment of a ranger at one meeting, and rescinding the same motion at the next meeting, and of certain people accusing him of inconsistency. Ido not look at such conduct as inconsistent at all. It appears to me that the motion was brought forward without due consideration, and as soon as the mover saw bis mistake he came forward in a manly way and tried to correct it, . Why should he not change bis mind when ho saw good reasons for it. Only fools will not change their minds, and the reason is because they have ho minds to cbauge. The fact that the gentleman in question changed his mind gives the people a guarantee that he will always act justly and honestly by all classes, and if be makes a mistake will not be pigheaded enough to stick to it. He saw, alter moving in this matter, a ranger would inflict great hardships on many of his poorer neighbors, and as he is not naturally an oppressor of the poor he changed bis mind. 1 hope people will look upon this matter in its true light, and regard the alleged inconsistency aa a virtue deserving of their votes at the po ling booths, Thera are big trespassers in the district, but they keep shepherds to heard their sheep, and of course no ranger could interfere with them, or would not because they would hare sufficient influence to induce him to shut his eyes when he passed them by. I call upon my btother ratepayers to make this question of a ranger an election cry, and to elect no one who does not pledge himself to oppose it.—l am, etc., Fairplat, Geraldine, April 17th, 1886,