WAIKAIA FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 1294, 18 September 1873, Page 6

WAIKAIA FLAT.

{To the Editor.) ■ Sir, — A Bitis an uncommon thing for us who are resident on the Waikaia Flat to hear anything of our concerns through the medium of your worthy columns, and as it is also quite possible that if we do, not exert ourselves a little on our own account, we will soon become the subjects of entire neglect. We do not, however, wish to occupy so unenviable a position in the social scale, and as we are composed of ingredients similar to the other members of humanity, we do not see the reason why we should not share some of the privileges. Now, Sir, taking it for granted that we are a forgotten lot, allow me to explain the position we occupy. There are about 2000 acres at present held under the Goldfields (agricultural lease) Act of 1866 on block I. on the Waikaia Flat, together with an average share of the mining population of Switzers, employed* on the adjoining terraces and flats, the united revenue derived from them is about £400 annually. The settlers also in many cases have laid out a considerable'amount of capital in the improvement of their f trm*, and, like honest men, are endeavoring to make homes for themselves and their families. The available land in this block being all taken up, the fencing of the different sections is being proceeded with, and the road, which has up to the present time followed the way best suited for trafficjjyill now be confined to the surveyMlJtoe of roadway. This is, however, impossible, until steps are taken by the authorities for placing it in working order. There is, I believe, (Come slight agitation on the road question. The main line of roadway, as at present surveyed, is straight up the Waikaia Flat, and is most centrally situated for the convenience of settlers —in fact it could not be better placed for the requirements of the district

generally ; nevertheless, a few would prefer seeing it take its course along the east side of the flat, hugging the foot of the ranges, between the Pyramids and Switzers. There is only a few, however, who would take such a mad notion in their brain, for the cost would be something like ten times the amount necessary ; and although it might suit those who wish speedy transit at any price (and they are certainly in the minority), it "would at once cut away the use of a roadway from a country extending over twenty miles in length by the intervention of the Waikaia river, which would lie between the road and the land fit for settlement. We are also surprised to hear of the likelihood of our hospital becoming defunct, from the discontinuance of the usual Government subsidy. Since then we have been much at a loss to know how the funds of the hospital are disposed of, so as to make the sum so much per patient. Not having the means within our reach of ascertaining, seeing that no public financial report of the affairs of this hospital have ever been published, we would be thankful if some of those interested would oblige us by explaining the reason why. — I am, &c, Alpha.