TEE WANDERER.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 165, 30 September 1892, Page 8

TEE WANDERER.

East week while wandering up North and in conversation with many of the settlers and gumdiggers up there, one and all expressed their satisfaction at the leaders in the Waikoa Bell urging upon the Postmaster General the advisability of running a mail from the Wairoa to Kaweiua by way of the Maunganui Bluff and Waikara. The Wanderer can fully endorse what has been written by the editor on this subject; lie is well acqusinted with the route, also with a large number of settlers and others along the line, and there is not the least doubt hut that if the Government will run a mail along this route a.s desil'ed, they will confer a boon upon a large number of settlers, and will make a much wanted overland connection between two large centres. As the cost of the service will be very small it is to be hoped the Postmaster Genoral will see his way to comply with the request contained in'tho loaders in the Bell.

Another growl, and again at the s.s. Company'. Why', in the name of all that’s just, cannot they adyertise a time-table ? It’s perfectly' sickening to see a company, who ought to study their patrons’ interests, too mean to spend a paltry' few shillings pier year upon advertising some sort of a time-table, I suppose they think

business people up north of Opauake cannot help themselves, but “must”, send gum &c. by their boats. They’ll precious soon find their mistake out when some of their staunchest supporters instead of packing to Opanake and shipping by their boats, will pack their goods the other way and transfer their patronage to the Northern Company, and then there’ll be a vigorous biting of finger nails at their idiotic penny wise and pound foolish policy. I detest meanness at any time, but when it is carried out to the detriment of friends and supporters it becomes unbearable. *- * *■ Your IvTareretu correspondent is touching Mr Arapohue up. Of the little rumpus between them it is neither my place nor intention to say much, but I am somewhat inclined to the belief that many fanatical advocates of temperance in many instances do more harm than good. I have long since come to the conclusion that if temperance advocates would not trouble themselves about the respectably conducted hotels, but would turn their attention to the enormous amount of sly grog selling in the country districts, also the swipe shops carried on in connection with some of the up country gum stores, they would indeed be doing a good work, and one for which they would get every credit for from every right thinking man and woman. * * * Some very nasty rumours are afloat and have reached me, about the charges brought by the Natives against Mr J, Lundon, but as the report of the Committee is not yet to hand, I must refrain from say'ing anything about them at present, suffice to say that at least two of the Committee decidedly disagreed as to the correctness of Mr Lundon’s conduct. * * * I was going to say something mors about the dramatic and o'her societies now established at Aratapu, but will leave them for the present, I expect to be back in the city of refuge in a few days, and I hope then to have an opportunity of attending some of the performances ; I shall then bo better able to express an opinion upon the way in which things are conducted. Yet, there is one piece of advice which I should like to give the managers ; which is, do not fail to give ample notice of coming events. Remember that many settlers and frieuds up North would gladly combine business and pleasure by taking a trip down the river. Settle any business they may have to transact and attend your performance in the evening, hut you must also remember that there is but one mail a week, and that subscribers at a distance in very many instances cannot possibly get their Bell for some days later than those who live near the publishing office. TJnder these circumstances a performance might be advertised and have come off before your up country friends would know anything about it. The advice is tendered in all friendship, and I trust may prove for the benefit of your societies What a brilliant conception that was on the part of the highly intellectual youth who wished the football banquet to be held at Dargaville. Yet some people would call it cheek. Well, a man’s not worth a rap in this country without plenty of it ; hut, look out young man ! have a care, for as sure as fate if ever the 1 Genial old Bata ’ has to make a post mortem examination of your manly (?) form, the first thing he’ll go for will be that wonderful brain of yours and ho will indeed exclaim ‘phenomenal!’ But hark yon, young man ! what right had you to propose that this banquet should be held at the village of Dargaville ? What particular claim lias the place ? Why should the Aratapu and Kopuru people he put to the extra expense and dragged all the way up the river to suit your stupid whim ? Take my advice put your abomin - able monoply in your pocket and don’t try to cram it down the throats of other people. The ‘ Wanderer’ is as fond of looking after No. 1 as anybody, but before he would have the cheek to make such a proposition, he’d want the pluck of the Irish soldier who said, 1 that with his bowels regular and powder dry, he’d fight the divil.’ * * * But now for a far mors pleasant subject, for I cannot finish these notes without congratulating the proprietor upon the improvement and enlargement of the Be el, and I most heartily wish him the success he deserves. Ever since the Wairoa Bell started the writer has tendered his mite of correspondence cheerfully, and with pleasure, for he felt that he was doing a small part to assist the only really independant Journal published in the district. It has been but a mite ’tis true, but so long as the mite proves acceptable so it shall he continued to be placed entirely at the Editor’s disposal. Once more the ‘ Wanderer ’ wishes the Bell the success it richly deserves