THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 250, 27 July 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1872.

“ The fewer, our wants are, the nearer we approach the .Gods, said the Romans of old. The people of the Thames do not come under this fortunate category, for they liave many and very pressing wants at the present moment. Better roads, streets, drains,

•and the means of carrying out sanitary j regulations, are urgently rgfa'irtt}. ’connection with the |jge . -people, the subject of a Ground stands It has been often urged on tne attends tion of the authorities, and the Goverfg| meat lnuj been deputationised, petitioned, and interviewed'on the subject. So far, nothing definite has been done. In consequence of the high price set upon the land near Paiawai, the eligible sit'd,"by’ tl\6 native "add p'akehaT land sharks in the vicinity, there appears very little hope of obtaining ,what is wanted in that quarter. There is no central site that we are aware of which can be procured ; and, in view of this most unsatisfactory state of things, it will perhaps be well not to : forget that a site_has been offered on j reasonable terms, at Tararu, by Sir Graham, which has many advantages—although when weighed in the balance with Tarawa 1 ! it may be found some-

what wanting. Nevertheless, as half a loaf is better than no b.read, we think the offer of a site at Tararu should not be forgotten. It is easily accessible by road, rail, and water, is very healthy, and naturally picturesque. By the aid j of a skilful . landscape gardener, it would be made a really attractive spot; and, if we can get no better, we certainly think steps should be taken to procure it. It nright indeed be well’ v if possible to secure a site both at the Shortland and Tararu ends of the district, but the difficulties at the Shortland end appear to us to be of a formidable kind, but at the other reasonable terms might be arranged. The newly-formed Highway District of Tararu holds its first meeting next Tuesday, and probably when the body is organised and in working order, its members may turn their attention to this subject. .The residents of Shortland may certainly say that it is a long way from them; and so it is, but if no ground can be procured at tlieir end, we think that objection to a great extent vanishes. We should be glad to hear an expression of opinion from all, parts .of the district on the subject, for it is one in which the health and comfort of almost all are concer ed. In layingall new townships eligible sites should be left for public recreation, but in consequence of “ native difficulties,” peculiarity of tenure, dealings ofi land speculators, and other causes, 1 -this important desideratum has hitherto been wanting. Every day that it is delayed increases the difficulties,. and we hope the matter will receive attention forthwith.