A PARAWAI GROWL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4526, 7 July 1883, Page 2

A PARAWAI GROWL.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star)

Sic, —If the prosperity of any place, and the capacity of its inhabitants for local self government may be indicated by its present condition and the proceedings of its local authorities, to what a miserable state is poor Parawai now reduced. Seme ten years ago this little suburban district was creditably governed by an efficient* Road Board, and then we're few if any co>«*•' plaints. The roads and footpaths wt«s3 kept in good order, w,anderiug eaitnals were kept within bounds, and the inhabit tants cheerfully submitted to an exceptioaally high valuation, and an annual assessment of one shilling in the pound, for the purpose of supporting a creditable local administration of its affairs. ,111 that i» now changed. We have a Bead' Board in name, but moribund for years, and heavily in debt, and we hare the County and Borough authorities trying to " euchre " each other in the attempts to gain sole possession of the district. Whilst this little game is being played out, the apathetic inhabitants: merely look on, and culpably submit to systematic neglect of their district, for which there is no term but disgraceful I could support these views with many examples. Take, for instance, the case of the little creek near Mr Gillespie's, which always overflows after a few hours' heavier rain than usual, spreading itself over the school play-ground, and discharging into the road between the school and Banks,' slaughteryard, doing great injury. The> damage caused at this spot some two or three times annually for many years b« the overflow of the creek must amount in the aggregate to a very heavy sum. Aa. an old resident I ask what is to be thought 01 the miserable incompetency of those who profess to govern the district, but fail to remedy the evil, or of the wretched wantof energy aad public spirit of the inhabitant* who submit to this state of uungi without a murmur. Please, Mr Editor, insert these bowlings of a miser. •We ret ident of Bkßiwii,