The Wairoa Bell. AND Hobson County Gazette. FRIDAY, JULY 15th

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 154, 15 July 1892, Page 4

The Wairoa Bell. AND Hobson County Gazette. FRIDA Y, JULY 15th

The question of filling tip the vacancies in the Upper House still remains unsettled and the Government have very wisely refrained from taking any decisive action in the matter. When it ts remembered that the Ministry, who are the representatives of the people, desired, after full conideration, to place a certain number of persons in the Legislative Council for the better carrying on of the parliamentary business of the country, and were only prevented from so doing by the “ wont’s ” of a departed official who was in no way responsible to the people, it must be conceded that Ministers had high ground upon which to appeal to the sympathies of the people. The wisdom and moderation of the Government in calmly awaiting the turn of events is highly commendable and will gain them far greater support than a decided opposition-to-Gov-ernor move would have done. Time rolls steadily on and the fates look kindly upon their patient stand, for death and resignation are fast increasing the vacancies iu the Conservative Chamber and there need soon be no difference of opinion between Ministers and Governor as to the number of appointments to be made. We believe, too, that Lie action of the Governor may have been of service to the Government by giving time for further consider ation as to the best men to be appointed, Many old politicians, full of their own importance, have doubtless looked forward to and coveted the vacant seats and it is just possible that the importunities of some such may have swayed Ministers, but time we hope has enabled them to make a good selection. Humour named a certain old politician of this district as one of the chosen few, but we cannot think it, possible that Mr. Ballance and bis friends will so far shake the confidence of their truest supporters by placing in the Upper House men of doubtful character wrapped up in self, and those whom the people have refused to place in the Lower House.

It may be seen by reference to the account of the County Council’s proceedings on Wednesday that Mr Houston has promised to endeavour to induce the Minister of Public Works to place votes on the Estimates for a bridge over the Tangowahine, drainage works at Tatarariki and other works in this County. We hope Mr Houston will press liis and our claims boldly, for the works named are really useful and necessary ones, which il left to our County to carry out, must be deferred for many years to come for want ol funds. A bridge over the Tangowahine creek is estimated to cost over £SOO and is necessary to connect the main road between this County and Wangarei. In the Tatarariki district there is a large amount of good Crown Land which needs draiaing before it can be made really useful for settlement, and the large swamps if drained would become of great value whereas at present they are useless. The same might be said of the great swamp at th back of Aratapu and it is only fair that the Crown should contribute toward drainage works when the same will materially Increase the value of its estate. The Minister of Lands has been amongst us and should be well acquainted with the genuineness and nature of our claims. In December last he received a deputation in the Council Chambers, Aratapu and ex-

pressed surprise at the moderate demands °fthe Cuuu'y, and at the banquet on the same evening he said “ Your greatest want in the North is roads it will devolve upon Parliament to find funds, and I am sure it will pay the Colony to make roads in the North.” So say we, and so please lead on Mr McKenzie.