THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 186, 14 May 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1872.

The Kauaeranga Board held a meetinglast night, and resolved to deputise His Honor the Superintendent on the necessity of something being done to the roads before winter sets in, and to obtain tiie balance of the grant in aid as soon as possible. The deputation was also empowered to “ interview ” the Gold Fields {Secretary relative to the proposed recreation ground, which is passing away bit by bit into the hands ot private parties, and unless immediate action be taken there will soon be none ol it left lor the Government to deal with. The land sharks will get hold of it, and it will be turned into <• eligible allotments lor building purposes,” and be priced at ever so much per square inch, as Grahamstown is at the present moment. We have on more than one occasion called attention to these questions, which very materially aflect the health and comfort of the population. The want of jiassable roads, adequate drainage, and a recreation ground, are amongst the most urgent requirements of the Thames. Ihe amount of rates is altogether inadequate to do what is required for the streets and sewers, and it is only by the grant in aid that anything worth

speaking of can be done by the local Boards in the way of public improvements. The powers of the Boards are small, and so are their funds, but, so far as we can judge, they have exercised their powers and administered their funds judiciously. We trust his Honor the Superintendent will give due weight to the representations which will be made to him, and that lie will give the best assistance in his power. In reference to the recreation ground, the . money, unless we are much mistaken, has been voted. What has been the reason ol the unaccountable delay which has taken place in the matter, we are at a loss to know, and should be glad to be enlightened on the subject by the Executive. We presume the Board will succeed in extracting some information on tlie subject, and we hope also that they will be able to accelerate

the acquisition of the land required, if, fortunately, it be not already too late to secure it. The peculiar adaptation of the site selected at Parawai for the

purpose has been frequently commented on, and our readers will not require to have a recapitulation of the fact. If, through the delay which has already occurred, the site is lost to the inhabitants of the Thames it will be

hard to re-place it, but in such an event, no more time should be allowed to 2>ass by without something being done to secure another spot as suitable as possible; otherwise the Thames will ultimately be left without a recreation ground at all, unless it be one at a remote distance from the centre of the population, or purchased at an exorbitant figure from some fortunate pakelia Maori speculator who lias taken advantage, of the situation. The value of suburban land at the Thames must increase as the place progresses, and every day that this matter is postponed will add something to the price which will in the end have to be paid for a public dou-ain at all

commensurate with the requirements of the place. The Kauaeranga Board deserve credit for having taken the matter in hand, and if their hands can he at all strengthened by the voice of public approval, we are sure it will be accorded to them. The Pro vincial Government has apparently gone to sleep over the matter, and if the Board can awaken them in time to rectify the delay, a great boon will have been conferred upon the inhabitants. We have before us the prospect of a very thickly built township, with plenty of smoke, and many of the drawbacks 'of a manufacturing town, and it is especially necessary that good streets, good drainage, and ample ground for recreation should be secured. These are amongst the first -things that are usually attended to in laying out a new township. Up to the present time there has been great apathy and much neglect in these respects, but it is better late than never. If the Board succeed in bringing the matters discussed last night to a satisfactory issue, they will have done a most essential service, the good effects of which will be felt for years to come. What the Executive will have to say, by way of excuse, for the manner in which the wants of the Thames have been ignored we don’t know, but if they will only meet the views of the deputation on the question of the recreation ground and the grant in aid, they will have done much to wipe off the old score iwliich this goldfield has against them.